CompuServe Messages

Been there, Doug. The opals occur as amygdules in a coarse lava, filling only an occasional cavity. The mines Russ is referring to were worked in the '30's (when I went there!!!) by a grizzled prospector named Herman, who had a "rock shop" in Last Chance Canyon. I just checked for fluorescence, and can report "slight", greenish in SW. There is something else, though, with bright Willemite green lining some of the cavities. I would think this location worth a little further investigation. I have a couple of specimens about 1 cm long, but fractured. Herman had blasted the location and a lot of the material was ruined. However, at the time the 'mine' was barely worked, no adits. So perhaps with some searching at lower levels some good stuff might turn up. No question that it's pretty. A clear, fire opal. Herman showed me a piece of matrix with an opal about 2.5 cm which made such an impression on me that I can see it to this day. Bill