Headquarters of The Original Spencer Opal Mine
About the Mine
The primary formation of the mine is a rhyolite and obsidian
flow full of gas pockets. The Opal Solution or silica, was a secondary
deposit carried by geyser activity.
As a result of several eruptions over a period of time, the opal lays
in layers. Most of the layers are thin, resulting in some of the most
beautiful triplet opal in the world. Occasionally the layer will be thick
enough for cutting a solid opal which is an extra bonus for the finder.
The Opal is Hydrothermally deposited inside hollow geodes in successive
layers making Spencer Opal ideal for triplets as the thin layers of extremely
high quality precious opal are very transparent with great color intensity.
Opal doublets, often used in jewelry, are thin slices of
precious opal glued onto a matrix material. Such gems are considerably
cheaper than solid opals, yet provide the same play of color. Opal doublets
are sometimes coated with a thin layer or dome of clear Quartz to make
them more resistant to scratches (opal is a relatively soft gem). These
are known as triplets.
Thus is an Idaho Opal Triplet created.
About The Opal
In Idaho, Opal is the second largest contributor to the total value of gem material produced. The varieties produced include precious (white and pink), yellow, blue, pink, and common. The Spencer Opal Mine, the largest privately owned gem stone producer in the State, is the major producer of Opal. At Spencer the precious opal occurs as one or more thin layers within common opal partially filling gas cavities within a rhyolite-obsidian flow. About 10% of the material is thick enough to cut into solid gems; the remainder is fashioned into doublets and triplets. The Spencer Mine is the source of pink common opal and pink precious opal. Opal is brittle, heat sensitive, and breaks and scratches easily; additionally, some varieties self- destruct through the loss of water. Even with these drawbacks, opal's unsurpassed beauty guarantees its status as a premier gemstone. The derivation of its name even adds to its position. Reportedly, opal's name evolved from the Roman word opalus from the Greek word opallios meaning "to see a change of color." The Greek word was a modification of the ancient Indian Sanskrit name for opal, upala, which meant "precious stone." If one spoke in mixed tongues, then opal would be opallios upala, "to see a change of color precious stone." As indicated by the derivation of its name, opal has centuries of history as a treasured gemstone. Historically, beliefs associated with the wearing of opal have varied. The early Greeks thought that opals gave their owners the powers of foresight and prophecy, and the Romans adored it as a token of hope and purity. Eastern people regarded it as sacred, and Arabs believed it fell from heaven. In the nineteenth century, superstitions grew about the bad luck or fate that could befall one for wearing opal if it were not the wearer's birthstone. Today, these superstitions have diminished, but some people still believe it is bad luck to wear opals. Opal has over one hundred variety and trade names, but the list of accepted or commonly used names is much shorter. The most important and most widely known opal is the precious opal. Precious opal may be subdivided further by color modifiers, white, black, pinks, and blue, which describe the body color of the opal. Opal is the most colorful of all gems. Its splendid play of color is unsurpassed, and fine examples can be more valuable than diamond. The play of color consists of iridescent color flashes that change with the angle at which the stone is viewed. This phenomenon is often called opalescence. The play of color may consist of large, individual flashes of color (known as schillers), or may be of tiny, dense flashes. The intensity and distribution of the color flashes is a determining factor in the value of an opal. A condition called crazing affects certain opals, causing them to form internal cracks. Crazing is a particularly interesting phenomenon, for it lacks consistency and is unpredictable. Although it can occur at random, it usually strikes when an opal removed from damp conditions is allowed to dry too quickly, or when an opal is exposed to sudden intense light -- or a combination of these factors. Crazing may also take place when an opal is subject to vibration, as during the cutting and polishing of a specimen. The severity of the crazing and the time it takes to "craze" varies among specimens. The origin of the specimen is often a determining factor to its resistance to crazing. A very gradual drying process over months or even years can in some cases effectively stabilize the stone and allow it to be cut and polished with a substantially reduced risk of crazing. Opals displaying play of color are known as precious opals, and opals lacking play of color are known as common opals. Gems are cut from both the precious and common forms, but precious opal is the primary gem form of this stone. There are many varieties of both precious and common opals. The most desired and beautiful form of opal is black opal, which is opal with a dark blue, dark green, or black background with a strong play of color. Next in importance is white opal, which is opal with a light colored body color (white, yellow, cream, etc.) with strong play of color. Next in line is Mexican fire opal, a transparent to translucent orange red form of common opal. If Mexican fire opals display play of color, they are known as Precious Fire Opal. Many precious opals, besides being classified as either black or white opals, are further classified based on the distribution and habit of their play of color. There are also many variety names given to the numerous forms of both precious opal and common opal.
Location and History of The Mine
The Spencer Opal Mines are located in South Eastern
Idaho, 65 miles north of Idaho Falls on I-15, 70 miles west of Yellowstone
National Park, and 80 miles south of Dillon Montana. The mine was discovered
in 1948 by two deer hunters and filed as a mining claim in 1952. The Stetler
family acquired the property in 1964 and opened it to the "rockhounds"
for digging in 1968. It is still owned and operated by the Stetler family.
Only have an hour or so, or just passing through?
You can dig Opals right from the mine in our "mini-mine", Located behind our shop.
Stop in for a famous "Triplet Burger" or any of the down home freshly prepared items
on our menu; breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We also have a full hook-up RV park,
gas, propane and a convenience store. A full line of cutting supplies, rough opal as well
as finished jewelry and a nice selection of other gemstones are ready and
awaiting for your inspection.
The shop is open every day from may to september, 7 days a week. 8am to 8pm.
Shop Information
While in Spencer, be sure to stop by our shop and dig
at our "mini-mine". We maintain a large stock pile of mine run ore to
dig through.
The cost is $10.00 per person (age 15 and up)
and $5.00 per child under 15 (ages 3-14)
Note: Not recommended for kids under age 3.
Our Headquarters is located at the end of Old Highway 91 of Spencer.
We carry a full line of cutting supplies, rough opal, and finished jewelry
at our shop. We also have a nice selection of other gemstone specimens
from throughout the northwest.
At Present, the actual mine is not open to the public on a daily basis,
for "fee-digging". We are open Memorial Day, the 4th of July, the first
week of August, and Labor Day. Call for exact dates, as they change from
year to year. We do also Accept reservations for groups or clubs of twenty
persons or more, and you can pick the day you would like to reserve. Scheduled
groups are not restricted to the already designated digging dates.
DIGGING DATES FOR THE SUMMER OF 2009
May 23, 24, & 25
June 20 & 21
July 4, 5, & 6
August 8, & 9
September 5, 6, & 7
Fee: $45 per day, per person (includes up to 5 lbs. of Opal) $8 each additional pound
If your going to dig at the mine or the mini-mine, this is what you should bring:
Your Lunch, digging tools of your choice, safety glasses, and lots of drinking water
Recommended tools: hammer, spray bottle, bucket, chisels, crack hammer, gloves & wear long pants.
NO open toed shoes or sandals allowed.
SAFETY GLASSES ARE REQUIRED!!
Transportation to the mine is not provided.
A SUV or 4X4 is highly recommended.
(Click here for stock pile rules)
Additional Regional Travel Information is available at:
www.YellowstoneMall.com
www.yellowstoneteton.com
SHOW DATES
January 2009 21-25 Quartzsite Gem and Mineral Show
More info at www.qiaaz.org
February 2009 12-15 Tuscon, AZ Tuscon Gem & Mineral Show
February 2009 21 & 22 Apache Junction, AZ
March 2009 13,14,15 Cottonwood Arizona
March 2009 13, 14, 15 Golden Spike, Ogden Utah
Remember to "refresh" this page.
Contact Information
Spencer Opal Mines
May - October
27 Opal Ave.
Spencer, Idaho
83446, USA
208-374-5476
Spencer Opal Mines
November - April
P.O. Box 521
Salome, Arizona
85348, USA
928-859-3752
info@SpencerOpalMine.com
Updated January 15, 2009
© 1999 - 2007 Spencer Opal Mines - All Rights Reserved.
www.SpencerOpalMines.com
www.SpencerOpalMine.com
