New Gemstone Deposits Discovered

The author with foot on large boulder of kyanite schist. All of the
prismatic crystals in the boulder are kyanite, some gemmey.

{revised 2/8/2022}

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Look for light-gray cobbles and boulders sitting along the side of the dirt roads. Many contain a thin reaction rims coating the opals within. In addition to the common white to black opals, look for orange to red Mexican opals, very rare 'fire' opals (might be more likely to find fire opals at depth, but be careful about digging holes, the BLM does not like the public digging on their own public land.) The area also has a variety of agates including the popular, dendritic, Sweetwater agate. 

WYOMING - the Gemstone State?
Many previously unreported gemstone deposits were discovered in Wyoming from 1975 to 2007. During this period dozens upon dozens of gemstones, diamond and gold anomalies were identified. This was followed by publication of numerous reports on these occurrences, and led to rockhounds and prospectors finding some additional deposits.

For three decades, the GemHunter made dozens of discoveries in a state that was thought to be poorly mineralized. But today, Wyoming stands at the top for variety and diversity in these types of deposits. So, why did it take so long to find gemstones in Wyoming - guess nobody ever bothered to look.

The geology of Wyoming is favorable for more gemstone, diamond and gold discoveries. And prior to leaving Wyoming, the GemHunter identified hundreds of mineral anomalies, made many discoveries including the discovery of the largest iolite gemstones on earth (some the size of smart cars), and a whole new gold district, along with other discoveries.

Well, back to opals. Are there other opal deposits in Wyoming? Very likely. The geology is extremely favorable as the state has been buried in silicic volcanic ash numerous times during the Tertiary. And these types of layered ashes, are perfect sources for opal. So, yes, there is a lot of opal out there ready to be discovered.

Isaiah 54:12

Beautiful natural Cedar Rim rough opal breccia ('wyoming fire opal'). This would likely polish up very nicely.

More 'mexican fire opal' which we call the Wyoming opal. This specimen
is known as the 'illegal alien fire opal'

Black opal from Cedar Rim

Blue opal in black opal matrix.

Spectacular 'honey' opal breccia from Cedar Rim, Wyoming

Blue opal from Cedar Rim

Precious opal in common white opal, Cedar Rim.

Glitter opal

light blue opal, Wyoming