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How to Search for Fire Opals

If you were born in October, you can find your own birthstone at one of the fire opal mines in the USA that is open to the public. Even if you were born any other time of the year, the search for fire opals is healthy, addictive outdoor fun. Visitors and rock hounds are welcome to search for fire opals at mines in several states, including Oregon, Nevada and Idaho. A digging fee is required, charged either by the day or by the bucket full. Personnel at the mines will direct you to the designated digging areas.

Things You'll Need

Shovel
Trowel
Rock hammer
Squirt bottle
Short-handled pick
Bucket
Kneeling pad or small carpet remnant
Safety glasses
Heavy gloves
Hat
Sunscreen

Instructions

- 1
  Shovel away the top layer of dirt in a 2-foot square area. Push the shovel into the ground repeatedly to test for resistance indicating a stone, which may be a fire opal-bearing rock, or egg, as they are known. Free the edges of the rock of soil, using a hand trowel to lift and set aside the dirt.
- 2
  Hit an edge of the stone with a rock hammer to break off a small piece. Douse the broken edge of the stone with water using the squirt bottle. Rub the broken surface to feel for smoothness and to visually identify the orange, yellowish or brown characteristics of fire opal.
- 3
  Remove the stone completely and chip off additional sections using a short handled pick. If the stone is an opal egg, save it in a bucket to cut later with a stone saw. If there is no sign of fire opals, discard the stone and continue to search for smaller rocks around the edge of the hole.
- 4
  Set the kneeling pad or carpet remnant by the side of the hole to settle down for closer work. Use a short handled pick to dig out smaller stones and chip their edges as you continue the search for fire opals.

Rocks & Minerals