Swordfish Mining: Virgin Valley Opal

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=80 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF" bgproperties="fixed" background="1ac00500dvldtc.jpg"> <div> <B>Swordfish Mining:   Virgin Valley Opal</B><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><B> Claims Gemstones Specimens Jewelry  & More </B></FONT></div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF" background="045d2c00dvldtc.png"> <div> <IMG SRC="13fb2cc0.png" border=0 width="178" height="204" ALT="Evening Starfire" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> Nevada Black crystal opal <div id="fb-root"></div> <script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;} js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script>  </div> <div>  <div class="fb-like-box" data-href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Swordfish-Mining-Virgin-Valley-Opal/240539392668431" data-width="292" data-show-faces="false" data-stream="false" data-header="true"></div>  </div> <div> LINK to my Wordpress BLOG <A HREF="http://www.virginvalleyopal.com/talkin/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.virginvalleyopal.com/talkin/">http://www.virginvalleyopal.com/talkin/</A></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="257b98b0.jpg" border=0 width="185" height="139" ALT="A new clain for sale next to patented mine." ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Nevada Opal mining claims</div> <bR> <div>  <img border="0" src="//shield.sitelock.com/shield/virginvalleyopal.com" id="sl_shield_image" style="cursor: pointer;"/><script id="sl_shield" src="//shield.sitelock.com/sitelock.js" language="javascript"></script>  </div> <div> Webstore is $6.95 a month by </div> <div>  <a href="http://www.bluehost.com/track/swordfishmining">CLICK HERE TO SIGNUP FOR BLUEHOST.COM</a>  </div> <div> NOT YET To jump right to the store click here:</div> <div> PLACEHOLDER</div> <bR> <div>  <a href="https://www.paypal.com/us/verified/pal=usopal%40lycos%2ecom" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/icon/verification_seal.gif" border="0" alt="Official PayPal Seal"></A>  </div> </td> <td valign="top" height=400 width="100%" BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <bR> <div> <A HREF="black_precious_opal.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BLACK OPALS">BLACK OPALS</A>   |   <A HREF="what_we_do.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="WIRE WRAPS, BEADS, JEWELRY">WIRE WRAPS, BEADS, & JEWELRY</A>   |   <A HREF="cut_stones__tops_gemstones_cut_for_years__these_stones_have_all_been_displayed_i.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="GEMSTONES">GEMSTONES</A>   |   <A HREF="opal_from_nevada.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="PRECIOUS OPAL">PRECIOUS OPAL</A>   |   <A HREF="opal_twigs.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="LIMB CASTS">LIMB CASTS</A>   |   <A HREF="virgin_valley_wood_replacements.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="PINE CONES BARK">PINE CONES & BARK</A>   |   <A HREF="virgin_valley_precious_opal_mining_claims_from_the_miners_for_sale.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="CLAIMS">CLAIMS</A>   |   <A HREF="precious_opal_snake_head_cast.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="THE SNAKE HEAD">THE SNAKE HEAD</A>   |   <A HREF="id56.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="GOODS">GOODS</A>   |   <A HREF="picture_album.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SWORDFISH PICS">SWORDFISH PICS</A>   |   <A HREF="the_sheldon.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="CHARLES SHELDON NWR">CHARLES SHELDON NWR</A>   |   <A HREF="leah_and_john.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ABOUT ME">ABOUT ME</A>   |   <A HREF="numbers.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ADDRESS">ADDRESS</A>   |   <A HREF="map_to_virgin_valley_fee_digs.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="DIRECTIONS">DIRECTIONS</A>   |   <A HREF="qa.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="FAQ">FAQ</A>   |   <A HREF="links_to_friendly_web_pages.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="LINKS">LINKS</A> </div> <bR> <div>      Howdy Howdy from the Virgin Valley Mining District in Humboldt County, Nevada. Home of Americas' largest precious opal deposit. Black opals, White opals, Crystal opals, Fire Opals, and Opals in Wood Matrix have been mined here since 1905, and traded long before that.. </div> <bR> <div>      FEE DIGGING!!!!   GEM digging on the Virge Meyer Claim Group!  BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. PRE PAYMENT, BUT THE DATES CAN BE MOVED. TWO LOCATIONS. ONE FOR GEMS AND ONE FOR BIG WOODS. CARS CAN GET TO THE GEM DIG, BUT YOU HAVE TO HAVE YOUR OWN 4X4 TO GET TO MY WOOD WORKINGS: 100$ per person AND WOODS FOR .25 A POUND TO REFLECT PEOPLES DESIRES TO AMOUNTS.  ATTENDED and BY RESERVATION ONLY.  NOTE THAT THE GEM DIG ON VIRGIN CREEK WILL CEASE WHEN THE HORSEFLIES COME OUT.  i INTEND TO OFFER TAILINGS DIGGIN IN THE FUTURE BEHIND OUR COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS.</div> <bR> <div> WEBSITE SLOWLY BEING CONVERTED TO STORE FORMAT.   Please feel free to inquire about anything you see that you want in the following pages before they are re-written or deleted.  Fee dig information will be posted when available. if you want the tour, call me. </div> <bR> <div>     The brilliance, size, and qualities of our opals play of color is unique. People around the world have gemstones mined here. I sell natural solid gemstones and specimens of opalized woods, limb casts, bark replacements, and pine cones. Others sometimes treat the material from here before final polishing or to preserve it as a case specimen. I also found other various common opal veins and nodules of opal that offer both collectors and cutters the largest variety of specimens and cutting rough that opal as a mineral pseudomorph can offer. There is no big supply of cutting rough from these mines. The fee digs do not sell dry opal in  commercial amounts, so almost all the opal from here is mined by the rockhounding public. John Church (me), as Swordfish Mining, offers opal rough, gemstones, and specimens mined from my many claims and also the public fee digs.</div> <bR> <div>       YOUR luck, skill, and effort are the factors of which mine to go to, or which claim to buy, and then what opals you'll come away with. Sure, each mine has it's own nature, facilities, and operators, and you will love one over the others usually. I put up all their Fee Dig links to make it easier for you to contact them directly. You have to work hard for what you MAY find. Ask the other actual owners your questions about their open dates times and fees. Opal is where you find it, so look where the pros tell you to dig. SEE MY LINKS PAGE TO GET TO THE MINES OWN WEBSITES! When done you can decide whether you want personal help or not.</div> <bR> <div>      I also have OPAL MINING CLAIMS for sale. These are not turnkey operating black opal mines...YET. Opal comes in pockets and these claims are where the pockets are starting or may be found within the existing opalized wood deposits that ARE there. All are close to or are existing precious opal and opalized wood deposits. Black opal is the exception, not the rule, everywhere. White and crystal opals being found far more commonly in the clay than the black ones. Precious opalized wood is rarer than most other opals as gemstones.</div> <bR> <div>      My Virgin Valley opal seminar and claims for sale tour costs $200. This "tour" takes over 6 hours. There is an additional per person fee of $100 for larger groups than a family.  This rate applies to non-mining guiding also, but no additional per person charges as I am not talking opal mining and legal specifics there. I'll guide you like my best friends to specific interesting places you want to see. Things such as, but not limited to, lakes, faults, playas, canyons, caves, and hot springs. I don't lead "Indian artifact" hunting expeditions, pictures are all you can take on the refuge. Wildlife is not chased but is always seen as we go about. You're expected to obey the laws. I'm not an outfitter guide in the sense that I provide all of your camping supplies and services. Call for special accommodation help if you require these. Round trip airport pickup from Reno or Boise is offered for an additional $600 fee.  Accomodations in Denio Jct or further transportation are seperate from this get you here shuttle. Other arrangements can be made. There is no car rental in Winnemucca. Nine hours round trip drive to Reno for is the reason why the expense is high.</div> <bR> <div>      I'm honest, work hard, and find opal for a living better than most others could or would. Established in 1994, Swordfish Mining is your friendly  source of Virgin Valley opals, specimens and information. The fee digs shown on the Travel Channel's "Americas' Best Places to Find Cash and Treasure" were; The Royal Peacock Opal Mine in season one and The Bonanza Opal Mine LLC. in season two with the Becky. The other 2 fee dig  locations were not shown. Rainbow Ridge Opal Mine and The Opal Queen Mine. The owner of the Opal Queen, who made the Travel Channel show happen, was the one in the Hawaiian shirt talking about the geology of the opal district. Leah and I were in the background digging in the opening of the first show and I was holding one of the black opals for display that were found. </div> <bR> <div>      Leah Brashear, her family, and I have mined our numerous claims and at the various fee digs: The Rainbow Ridge Mine, The Royal Peacock Opal Mine,   as shareholders in the  Bonanza Mine LLC,  and the Opal Queen Mine, for decades.  We had our own claims then and even more now.  The neighborhood here is families that own and operate as small miners who bought or made claims and the odd rugged individuals. They are willing to gamble time and sweat for the stellar opals we can find. Lots of the cutters or jewelers that do offer Virgin Valley cabochons and opal jewellery, dig here in person for their own "free" supply. Do not come here thinking to get rich knowing nothing about the gem business. Do not fall for the Cash and Treasures Hype on easy money. Easy opal yes, but retailing for cash is work.  The mines DO NOT offer to buy your opal from you.</div> <bR> <div>  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFF00" FACE="Arial" > As is found in most all gem minerals, usually 95% or more is specimen grade only, not gem grade worth anything. Wet specimens are sold for pennies on the dollar compared to the high cost of dry opal rough from overseas. But Hey this is America, we can go out and try our hand at mining and keep ALL we find.</FONT></div> <div> <IMG SRC="270d05c0.jpg" border=0 width="464" height="348" ALT="Getting to be a real neighborhood out here." ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Moon rise over the mining district looking East toward the Purple Fire claim group (SOLD) and the Swordfish claims from the dam on one of the Dufferena ponds. You are looking out toward the refuge boundary to the east toward Big Mountain (large shield volcano on caldera edge).</div> <bR> <div>      30% MILITARY DISCOUNT ON MERCHANDISE ON THE WEB OR IN PERSON.  I need to know you are still enlisted, or retired.  THANKS to all our guardians. I'll discount  $1,000 off any of the mining claims for you risking your lives in the past for my current freedom.   </div> <bR> <div>      I accept checks, cash, gold, silver, and credit cards with approval.  Wire transfers to my banks general ledger account for large amounts or possible spammers are arranged. Gold and silver always welcome at Kitco daily prices. Personal and business checks need to clear your bank before shipment. I accept major credit cards over the phone. Arrangements for guided digging serivces must be paid in advance.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="07b17410.jpg" border=0 width="535" height="321" ALT="The Swordfish Mining face in precious opal wood from Virgin Valley NV " ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">scale in mm</div> <div> This face picture stone is a great example of hidden opals rarely found inside of what appears to be ordinary wood with just a little opal showing.  Scale is in mm. It shows how Black Opal can be surrounded by White Opal and encased in wood. It shows a little crystal conk around the edges.  A note; the crack in the black opal has not changed all these years and still does not go through to the white back, which is even brighter than shown.</div> <div>   </div> <div>      My  privacy policy is:  No SPAM or address re-selling.  As the sole proprietor owning and operating Swordfish Mining;  I am the designated official for everything, including the Homeland Security Regulations contact. Federal government tax and cash transaction reporting laws apply to me just like you. Don't ask for me to not tell. Nevada residents pay our 6.85% sales tax unless you are a registered re-seller.</div> <bR> <div>      When e-mailing me:   PLEASE USE A OPAL RELATED SUBJECT. Contact  usopal (insert @) lycos.com</div> <div>            or you can call 1-775-941-0725,  please leave a message and I will return your call.       Pacific Time Zone </div> <div> <IMG SRC="1b8a3070.jpg" border=0 width="163" height="263" ALT="Gem Precious Opalized Wood Bead " ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="1b7a8ee0.jpg" border=0 width="168" height="238" ALT="Gem Precious Opalized Wood Bead. " ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFF00" FACE="Arial" >Gem Art Play of Color Wood tops treated Opal Bead ONLY $100 a carat.</FONT></div> <bR> <div>        NO PHOTOS ON MY WEBSITE HAVE BEEN ENHANCED.  ALL OPALS ARE MUCH BE BRIGHTER THAN SEEN WITH A WIDE RANGE OF CHANGING COLORS AND PATTERNS.</div> <bR> <div> New  WordPress BLOG <A HREF="http://virginvalleyopal.com/talkin/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://virginvalleyopal.com/talkin/">http://virginvalleyopal.com/talkin/</A>   </div> <bR> <div> Swordfish Mining<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> PO Box # 124<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> Denio, NV<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> 89404-0124          or      usopal (at)lycos.com     or call 775-941-0725.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Note: All text and photograph copyrights reserved by John Church.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> Re-publication not for gain is permitted with proper URL credit back to here given. </div> <bR> <div>  <script type="text/javascript" language="JavaScript1.2" src="http://www.altavista.com/help/free/inc_translate"></script> <noscript><a href="http://www.altavista.com/babelfish/tr"></noscript>  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFF00" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div>    <img align=bottom src="http://www.thebook.com/cgi-bin/thebook/Counter1/Count.cgi?ft=0|tr=0|prgb=0;255;0|md=7|dd=B|st=333332|sh=1|df=virginvalleyopal_1_own.dat">  </div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>