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Old 12-29-2007, 03:44 PM
 
Location: Ohio
20 posts, read 129,042 times
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Where are some of the better gem mines in Idaho? (Pay to dig or open to the public)
Any good rockhound clubs?
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Old 12-29-2007, 05:14 PM
 
Location: Ponderay, Idaho
445 posts, read 1,328,174 times
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Hey trapperken2000,

This is not one of my interests, but you can get general information at:

www.idl.idaho.gov/bureau/MineralsBC.htm
then, click on "Gemstone Guide"

And, this is the only pay & dig site I'm familiar with (operated by US Forest Service):

www.fs.fed.us/ipnf/rec/activities/garnets/

Hope that helps.


pimit2 (Bob)
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Old 12-29-2007, 05:23 PM
 
Location: Boise
2,684 posts, read 6,884,600 times
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The opal capital of the world is up near the Monatana and Wyoming border, I think its a town called athol, but that might not be it. Both of my grandpas were rock hounds.
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Old 12-29-2007, 07:05 PM
 
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No, not Athol. Athol is in Northern Idaho outside of Coeur d' Alene. It is Spencer Idaho that has the opals.
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Old 12-31-2007, 01:50 PM
 
Location: Ohio
20 posts, read 129,042 times
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Thanks guys, That gives me a place to start looking!
Any more?
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Old 12-31-2007, 03:09 PM
 
Location: In The Outland
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The Spencer opal is found in very thin lenses and are used to make doublets and triplets.
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Old 01-01-2008, 09:18 PM
 
16,488 posts, read 24,471,880 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rickers View Post
The Spencer opal is found in very thin lenses and are used to make doublets and triplets.
That is true, they are not opal stones.
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Old 01-02-2008, 08:03 AM
 
Location: In The Outland
6,023 posts, read 14,059,923 times
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It is very pretty opal but very delicate and thin so for cabs the material needs that epoxy backing and the quartz cap.
Look in the Emerald creek area for garnets. Very rare six ray star garnets come from this area and at Crystal Park you can dig for quartz crystals.
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Old 01-07-2008, 08:37 AM
 
Location: Ohio
20 posts, read 129,042 times
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Thanks everyone, a lot of good info!
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