GEMSTONES

<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="1ce00500dvldtc.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><B>Swordfish Mining:   Virgin Valley Opal</B></FONT><B>     |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Swordfish Mining: Virgin Valley Opal"><B>home</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="black_precious_opal.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BLACK OPALS">BLACK OPALS</A>   |   <A HREF="id52.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="DOMES">DOMES</A>   |   <A HREF="virgin_valley_precious_opal_mining_claims_from_the_miners_for_sale.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="CLAIMS">CLAIMS</A>   |   <A HREF="opal_from_nevada.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="PRECIOUS OPAL">PRECIOUS OPAL</A>   |   <A HREF="what_we_do.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="WIRE WRAPS, BEADS, JEWELRY">WIRE WRAPS, BEADS, & JEWELRY</A>   |   <B>GEMSTONES</B>   |   <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="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="zincite_and_vulgarities.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="MINERALS">MINERALS</A>   |   <A HREF="quartz_and_other_mineral_crystals_for_sale.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="CRYSTALS">CRYSTALS</A>   |   <A HREF="leah_and_john.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ABOUT US">ABOUT US</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="numbers.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us">Contact Us</A>   |   <A HREF="map_to_virgin_valley_fee_digs.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Location">Location</A>   |   <A HREF="qa.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="QA">Q&A</A>   |   <A HREF="links_to_friendly_web_pages.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="LINKS">LINKS</A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF" background="045d2c00dvldtc.png"> <div> Virgin Valley gemstones. <IMG SRC="0bebd8e0.jpg" border=0 width="189" height="142" ALT="Gemstone selection late nineties" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Very nice opal wood with perfect cell structure multi-color opal replacement. </div> <div> <IMG SRC="0e4bd8e0.jpg" border=0 width="189" height="142" ALT="Gem opalized Wood Cab" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <IMG SRC="0fc8d6a0.jpg" border=0 width="141" height="106" ALT="Gem opalized wood" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> $20ct cell replacement that shows color from every angle</div> </td> <td valign="top" height=400 width="100%" BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> GEMSTONES</div> <bR> <div>        I display cut natural opal gemstones in the direct sun without them crazing. I repeat; <U>cut stones have sat in direct sunlight on black without cracking for weeks on end.</U> </div> <bR> <div>      Year after year these cases have been displayed at outdoor shows in Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, and California. When done cutting, the stones first go into a tray in the back of the opal display from the top of the Pixie (By Diamond Pacific.  I also use a Genie.)  To show that freshly cut stones are not cracking again, and to be proven, before being weighed into some gem case.  Folks want to see what was cut recently. Some stones do crack in the blazing hot case,  but that's why I do it. It proves the stone can stand the dry out.  I stand behind the stones I've cut as stable because I have not babied them. I should say I tortured them to attempt  to shut up the naysayers.  </div> <bR> <div>      These wonderful opals come in crystal clear, white, gold or tan, Root Beer glass, black, semi-black, green, and the various colors of replaced woods.  Contra Luz, which is precious play of color when backlit,  is commonly found in the tailings opal from here.   When dry it is usually a pleasant blond color.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="1b3ab400.jpg" border=0 width="427" height="320" ALT="Aunt Jeannes Black" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Not for sale.</div> <div> This single stone is almost a troy ounce.  Bright full spectrum roll of multi-color, scales. It's somebody else's so I can't take more photos sorry.</div> <bR> <div>      These stones have not been updated for years. Over 3/4 are no longer available having been sold or used in jewelry.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1b55c130.jpg" border=0 width="1628" height="1555" ALT="Black Opals, Crystal Opals Tops Opal Riker White Opal too from nineties" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div>       I have many cut stones for sale, cut freehand,  not on dopsticks or, calibrated. I don't do commercial cutting for others. I have been recommended  Lambert Industries in Thailand as reputable and qualified cutters.</div> <div>  </div> <div>  </div> <div>      There are opals that spotlight the color. The color rolls around a central point in the stone or that rolls cats-eye like when cut on rolling fire or the long tubular Harlequin.   Broad flash can be found in all colors with some stones shifting entire colors when rotated. In person is really the best way to appraise opals.</div> <div>  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><IMG SRC="106f0400.png" border=0 width="240" height="320" ALT="Spot light colors 360 play of fire " ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></FONT>Starring Crystal Baroque</div> <bR> <div>      This "Spot light" color play stone displays red, green, blue multicolor pattern that is similar to harlequin except when viewed on end they appear to be moving rainbows like a spot light. 2.59ct  for 1300$. These stones are uncommonly rare and usually kept as personal specimens to exemplify the burning color fires found here. The still camera can't show this phenomenon.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="0bf25dc0.jpg" border=0 width="293" height="220" ALT="Gem Semi-Crystal Opal The guy with glasses" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFF00" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> 2.3 ct for $460 Green multicolor with Red broad flash. Gem Semi-Crystal Opal, baroque again because there is something that keeps me from grinding away half the stone to make a calibrated setting fitter; custom rules</div> <bR> <div>       This next one sided chip is off the old knot.  The 14+  oz knot is covered with bright crystal precious opal and the sap cracks are also filled with bright dry opal.   You can't quite see the hot burning pink flames from the still pics 1.6ct  $370. </div> <div> <IMG SRC="0c025dc0.jpg" border=0 width="293" height="220" ALT="Red multicolor harlequin from 14oz knot specimen the entire rind is not gem but most is." ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFF00" FACE="Arial" >Krol's</FONT></div> <div>      I am an active opal miner and cutter. Local prices are on the wholesale side everyday because YOU traveled to the middle of nowhere to select from the miners themselves.  We have all variety's of opal for sale here. All us miners have cut opals and some jewelry for sale. Stable dried cabochons are available commonly they are not common once you leave here. Most stones are cut freeform not in a calibrated sizes. That being said; I am also a pioneer (read making a homestead from nothing while surviving day to day by ones own skills and entrepreneurship) who takes years not months to do things.</div> <bR> <div>       Here are more of the selection of stones focusing on boulder opals and Mexican Fire Opals.  The Peridot are from AZ and a few silver pendants.  Tanzanites, some citrines, and moonstones with some Yowah Nut stones. Those 2 bright stones in row 2 are from here. I like to polish all sorts gems and we do trade with other miners and venders.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1b63ec50.jpg" border=0 width="1598" height="2245" ALT="Faceted Mexican Fire Opal Bolder Opals Yowah Nut Lightning Ridge Opal Virgin Valley Opal Peridot" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Faceted Mexican Fire Opal, Boulder Opals, Yowah Nut, Lightning Ridge Opal, Virgin Valley Opals and some faceted side stones.</div> <bR> <div>      These stones are proven survivors. Many are MELTED into the gem box liners inside the melted gem boxes.</div> <bR> <div>       We wore our Opalized wood jewelry daily for years 24/7. Lots of hot spring soaks (weekly) for years without the stones showing changes.  Leah's' (and all four of the girls) wood slab beads are bright and alive in person.  Full spectrum, bright green wood grain with electric full spectrum broad flash crystal opal. The ladies in the family each got a matching one for a heritage set of gem bright matched beads.</div> <bR> <div>       I have had to repair one already from being broken in half while we were building rock cribs for the horse fences on Roaring Springs Ranch side of the new Steens National Monument in Oregon. (Desert Dog Mining was hosed in the creation and deserves some business. He has Cinnabar Geodes and Sunstones.)  They do repair because they break cleanly usually on the grain. That is a nice way of saying they are structurally similar to wood. Stronger when you work with the grain than against it. Against it is the cross sections.  </div> <div> <IMG SRC="13740f00.jpg" border=0 width="320" height="240" ALT="Leahs Opal Bead from opalized wood from Rainbow Ridge." ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFF00" FACE="Arial" > Leah's Opal Pendant Bead</FONT></div> <bR> <div>      "Good opal is good opal and a good opal can take it!"</div> <bR> <div>      I try to show the best side up in the cases but almost every stone has colors and patterns on both sides.  These opals have not been breaking under our temperature extremes (for opals) of 50 degree a day swings, with freezing. I feel our opal gemstones are no less sturdy than other districts.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="0ca25dc0.jpg" border=0 width="293" height="220" ALT="Liquid fire. very bright. surface imperfections" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div>      ELECTRIC 360 DEGREE REFLECTION FIRE 2.26 cts  $440. It has small surface pits but the color spotlights out of the crystal stone and I couldn't grind any more away to make a tiny stone. There are small whitish pits on the surface but liquid colors that can't be described. Larry S. Sr found one bigger than a hand this year that has the same bright liquid color. </div> <bR> <div>       If you need to have no doubt about a stones stable cutting rough: buy a finished stone then re-cut it to your liking for the maximum value. Needless to say, any real world cutter would trust their own ability to chose opal rough and then accept the loss that is inherent in all cutting processes to realize the maximum return on their dollar.  This eliminates blaming the mining district when the stone has been cut carelessly. If you buy the rough DRY in the SUN you can tell what it did in drying and what you can do with it now.</div> <bR> <div>      I have not cut up all the best rough which is called the tops and costs 30$ a gram and up over a hundred a gram.  It looks gem bright in sun or indoors under lights with unique patterns. Try that with cheap white opals. These are the larger clean or gem bright, most desirable, pieces of the rarest material sold individually. </div> <bR> <div>       At the very limited 100$ a gram and up range are the super gem fossil specimens and rare bright patterns.  We have sent parcels for commercial cutting and have factory cut cabs proving the toughness of the material.  </div> <bR> <div> Note: all text and photographs 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 given. </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_5_own.dat">  </div> <div>   </div> </td> </tr></table></body>