Dig for rare black opals in Virgin Valley, where geology and adventure meet in the high desert. Outdoor Nevada host John Burke visits Royal Peacock Opal Mines in Nevada’s Virgin Valley to dig ...

Opal-mining is one of the world’s most harrowing pursuits, but potentially one of the most rewarding as well. To find opals, a modern treasure hunter must dig random holes in areas of known ...

The Virgin Valley’s opal mines — Rainbow Ridge and Royal Peacock — are open from spring to fall and charge a fee to dig, with tourist-prospectors keeping any opals they find. Costs vary ...

Minnie Berrington was among the first. In 1926, the typist from London made the long journey to Coober Pedy, a remote, South Australian opal mining town halfway between Adelaide and Alice Springs. "I ...

Dan Measey loves opals. He’s addicted to their mesmerising colour and the thrill of finding them in the harsh Outback desert near Coober Pedy.

Dan Measey loves opals. He’s addicted to their mesmerising colour and the thrill of finding them in the harsh Outback desert near Coober Pedy.

Dan Measey loves opals. He’s addicted to their mesmerising colour and the thrill of finding them in the harsh Outback desert near Coober Pedy.

Dan Measey loves opals. He’s addicted to their mesmerising colour and the thrill of finding them in the harsh Outback desert near Coober Pedy.

Dan Measey loves opals. He’s addicted to their mesmerising colour and the thrill of finding them in the harsh Outback desert near Coober Pedy.

Dan Measey loves opals. He’s addicted to their mesmerising colour and the thrill of finding them in the harsh Outback desert near Coober Pedy.