View of the hillside at the Royal Peacock Opal Mine, where members of the public can mine for a variety of opals, including the rare Virgin Valley Black Fire Opal.

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The Nevada Traveler: Quest for the elusive Virgin Valley black fire opal

Few realize that the world’s most famous black fire opal – the official Nevada State Gem – was discovered in Nevada’s remote Virgin Valley in 1918.

• By By Richard Moreno
• March 9, 2022