You’ll Love Digging For Opals At This Unique Idaho Park
Emerson
Author
They don’t call us the Gem State just for kicks and giggles. Idaho is home to approximately 72 different kinds of gems and you can get your hands on some of your own when you visit this one-of-a-kind park. Hiding in Idaho is the Spencer Opal Mine where visitors can come and try their luck at finding some precious stones as they dig for opals. Smashing away at rocks is certainly a unique way to spend the day and it’s bound to be fun for the whole family, no matter how old or young you are. This is an Idaho bucket list item you’ll definitely want to check off soon so take a look!
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What do you think? Will you attempt to dig for opals in Idaho this year? Have you ever visited the opal capital of America? Let us know in the comments. If you want to learn more about gems in Utah, check out this destination where you can also search for gems and learn a little more about our great state.
If you need any equipment for outdoor adventures, like rockhounding in Idaho, visit REI for all of your needs.
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More to Explore
Opal Mine in Idaho
What kind of minerals can I find in Idaho?
Idaho is a highly productive state when it comes to rocks, minerals, and other resources. You can find all sorts of amazing geological wonders in Idaho, and usually, those come hand-in-hand with interesting mineral finds. Some of the most commonly found minerals found in Idaho include garnet, feldspar, perlite, amethyst, jasper, feldspar, topaz, aquamarine, and many, many more. Few people realize that there are many interesting natural wonders in Idaho, including places where rocks, gems, and minerals are much more common than in most places.
Where can I find gemstones in Idaho?
If anyone ever tells you that there are no fun things to do in Idaho, cut them out of your life. You don’t need that sort of negativity, anyway. Turns out, life in Idaho is a lot more vibrant than you’d think – there are plenty of gorgeous Idaho state parks, places to go camping in Idaho, and so many more things to do and see while you’re here that we recommend more than just a weekend to do all of it – just a couple of days would be impossible. Rockhounding is an excellent way to kill time in our great state, and your best bet for finding gemstones in Idaho tends to be stream beds and river gravel, especially in the Salmon River and the Clearwater River. You can also visit the famed Spencer Opal Mine and try your hand at collecting some specimens!
Where is the opal capital of America?
There’s a little place in Clark County, Idaho, that’s quite literally known as the opal capital of America. It’s a little place called Spencer, and it’s home to one of the single most productive opal mines in the United States. Idaho might be known as the potato capital of the US – but that’s not all it’s good for. Nope, there are beautiful waterfalls in Idaho, state parks in Idaho, and, of course, places to find opals in Idaho.