Oregon Opal Vein!

I took the family to Juniper Mountain for some fire opal digging. I would usually make a lot more effort to work around the opal and get out larger pieces without damaging them but it was getting late and we had to go.
Edit: After all the well deserved criticism I believe I should add a bit more-
I usually make a lot more effort to carefully extract the material. I know as well as you that value increases exponentially with size. The thing here though is that in my experience all of the opal in these thin surface veins is typically very unstable. Only in the larger veins do I find material with the right hydration to remain craze free. This is based on years of experience spending time doing exactly what you suggest only to see it turn into bits all by itself in the open air. I could keep it wet but my goal is really to identify the more stable material in order to provide that higher quality product. There's also the time factor. This was later in the day, near sunset. I had worked patiently and carefully all around that vein for hours to get it as exposed as it was. You're right, someone else will come along and get it out. Not in one piece though. This is my own federal mining claim that I pay fees on each year. I would much rather get it out the way I did in the video and go home with something as opposed to seeing it completely gone the next weekend. Several times I've left exposed opal only to return to evidence that someone MASSACRED it. You think I pulverize it? Wait til you see how the claim jumpers leave it- tiny shards and white powder all over the hole. I totally understand where you're coming from, I do. I don't think you fully appreciate or understand my situation though. Regardless, you're all totally welcome to come dig your own material and show me how it's done. Absolutely free, no charges or fees. Jamie Lant on Facebook. Send me a PM. Or email Uhnother@gmail.com. I certainly don't profess to be an expert. I'm learning as I go, like the rest of us. After all, realize I'm sitting on a mountain of the stuff. :)

Видео Oregon Opal Vein! канала Jamie Lant