Turquoise, opal, variscite, and other prized lapidary materials from the American Southwest and beyond.
16 turquoise & opal destinations in Nevada.
Rockhounding sites in Nevada — turquoise & opal: 16 spots in our directory. Sort live from your phone with near me, or browse all U.S. turquoise & opal rockhounding sites and the Nevada state page.
Guides & hubs: Nevada rockhounding guide · Rockhounding near Las Vegas — what is (and isn’t) legal · Gem mining near me — Virgin Valley opal fee digs
Turquoise, opal, variscite, and other prized lapidary materials from the American Southwest and beyond.
We currently document 16 turquoise & opal collecting sites in Nevada. Each listing includes original descriptions, visitor notes, and last-updated dates when available.
Turquoise & Opal destinations in Nevada vary widely in access, season, and legality. Some are official recreation areas; others are informal gravel bars. Read the access and safety sections on each listing — never assume collecting is allowed without checking current signage.
For trip planning beyond this filter, browse the full Nevada state page, our guides, or use near me to sort by distance from your location.
Black Rock Desert is a documented mineral occurrence near NV. Reported specimens include Opalized wood, Petrified wood, Agate, Fire Opal, Geodes, Gypsum, Obsidian, Tourmaline, Malachite, Epidote, Barite, Azurite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsBonanza Opal Mine (Virgin Valley) is a documented mineral occurrence near NV. Reported specimens include Opal (various colors). Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsCrescent Peak is a documented mineral occurrence near NV. Reported specimens include Turquoise, Copper, Gold, Lead, Molybdenum, Silver, Vanadium. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsFox Mine & Other Mines is a documented mineral occurrence near NV. Reported specimens include Turquoise. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsGreenfire Opal Mine is a documented mineral occurrence near NV. Reported specimens include Gem Opal, Black Opal, Fire Opal, Common Opal. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsMonte Cristo Range is a documented mineral occurrence near NV. Reported specimens include Variscite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsNellie Spring is a documented mineral occurrence near NV. Reported specimens include Opalite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsNevada Turquoise is a documented rockhounding destination in NV. Collectors visit for turquoise, chrysocolla and related material. Access rules and land ownership vary — confirm current status with the managing agency or landowner before collecting.
View detailsOne of Virgin Valley's premier fee-dig opal mines where visitors search virgin tailings for black and crystal opal specimens.
View detailsRock Hill is a documented mineral occurrence near NV. Reported specimens include Variscite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsRoyal Peacock Opal Mine is a documented mineral occurrence near NV. Reported specimens include Black Opal, Fire Opal. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsThe Royston district near Tonopah produces matrix turquoise with green and blue color bands highly valued in Southwest jewelry.
View detailsSugar Loaf Peak is a documented mineral occurrence near NV. Reported specimens include Turquoise. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsBlack fire opal in pastel host rhyolite made Virgin Valley world-famous; several private mines offer fee digging for opalized wood and precious opal.
View detailsVya is a documented mineral occurrence near NV. Reported specimens include Common Opal, obsidian. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsWhite Lake is a documented mineral occurrence near NV. Reported specimens include Chrysocolla, Malachite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
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