Hiya all. I will have to come back many times to add all the information I have to share; so please bookmark me.
I am busy mining on my many claims in the Virgin Valley Opal District in Humboldt Co, Nevada. I am also partners with several groups of individuals who are bringing the state gemstone of Nevada to light and to a larger market. Swordfish Mining is associated with Kokopelli Opal who is marketing our material overseas. I own many good mines and also sell claims in Virgin Valley. I offer tours and opal seminars and will travel to speaking engagements.
I moved to this mining district after enjoying digging opalised woods for years, in 1993. My mentor from Lakeveiw, Or, came here with the CCC before any of the mines were open to the public or the Charles Sheldon Wildlife Refuge was a gleam in Teddy Roosevelts' eyes. He and my wife were stone healers and I happen to be a finder and of stones in particular. The love of my life, Leah Brashear, I met here and we mined and sold opals together. She passed in 2005. Her interests are being continued by her mother, daughter and granddaughter.
Opals are my life. You can see what I find, places I go, gemstones I cut and rockhounding I do on www.virginvalleyopal.com. It has pertinent links to all the sites here for mining and especially the Ryals at Opal Negra links page (www.thegemdealer.com) which has many recreation and industry sites that I don't list.
Again, hello and lots of love from the little opal district on the back of the world from the big mines. Got a question? Drop me a line.