A few days ago I found myself with the option to take some time off and did so. I had heard about the mine from a friend some time ago and figured I'd give it a shot. On the Friday the 7th I hopped in my car and drove from San Diego and arrived on the 8th after spending a night in Fallon. I set up camp and went around the campgrounds meeting with fellow rock hounds before turning in. Sunday I worked the tailings to get an idea of what I was looking for when i would try the wall the next day. I had some luck on the wall and left on a good note in terms of mining. The experience in all was fun and a much needed change of pace. I was ecstatic when I found color and it was a pleasure meeting every one I did. Despite the long trek I'm looking forward to coming back with some friends in tote.

We traveled to the mine on May22nd ten or more years my friend has been talking about royal peacock mine we drove thru the night arriving in time to start digging we were welcomed planned our mining for the day at te pit several of the mine guys came and gave instructions and set us on the path of the days of pure amazing discovery not just digging for the perious gems but the entire experince meeting fellow diggers talking with karen at the shop morning coffee evening relaxing talking about the day with likeminded people of all backgrounds Iron worker from Indana couple from Florida a california Rock club to metion a few we found and dug some nice stones wood and other but the story I want people to know is about the great experince looking past just finding treasure we were all Pirates digging for buried treasure as per our fellow digger from Indana so eloquently stated it if we hadnt found a single opal every penny spent was worth the trip Jake i hope you wear the mining hat with pride you r a great youn man living in paradise having spent my entire career working at every mine from Africa to Russia diamonds gold platinum coal never enjoying the mining until Royal Peacock we intend to return next year same time God willing to again become Pirates Thank you to the staff for making it what it was and to all the diggers we met Godspeed until we meet again if you ever get a chance GO GO GO eat drink dig get dirty get tired find a treasure find youself in paradise

My wife and I are coming up to dig with our niece on June 4 to dig June 5. Hope to have a wonderful time. Jon & Helen & Jessica.

Wow! Just traveling through we happened upon the mine doing some internet searches for things to do near Winnemucca. We changed our plans to visit the mine, and boy were we glad we did. Knowing that we may not find a dazzler of an opal, we went anyway to experience the hard work of an opal miner (I slept for 12 hours after the work), and to see the amazing country in northern Nevada. We didn't come away empty handed, also getting expert info on how to take care of our valuable finds. The Wilson's are amazing people and we are so happy to have had this opportunity. We hope you enjoyed the watermelon!

Memorial Day digging... many of us Roseville Rock Rollers are on our way!!

Julie,
Thanks for your hospitality. We really appreciate it. Your website is beautiful. We are looking forward to visiting and digging for opals. Keep in touch.

Gary & Jo

This site brings back old memories. I visited the mine with my brother and our dad way back in 1960.

I am planning a trip for 2013.Im hoping to come to your mine and dig for opals.Its something Ive wanted to do for quite some time.I live in Pennsylvania.This would be quite an adventure for me one that I am looking forward to.

What a wonderful time! 100 miles from nothing, in the middle of nothing. Everyone there was a tremendous help, thanks Jake and Nate, very knowledgable in what to look for, and what to do when you find something special. Found some nice specimens, cant wait to get them polished and cured. Will be back in the spring for another trip! Thanks for all your help see you soon Mark and Jess <3

I enjoyed how friendly the family was and that their son was a lot of help with new people out at the site. I hope to come back, I really want to visit after graduation for some more fire opals maybe.

Top notch Rating, Very Nice people, Both Mother and son !!!, Very knowledgeable and helpfull. Super experience for both of us. I recomend spending the extra money and do the big dig, it is well worth the sweat and work. Very Very fun and is good exersize. Highly recomend this to all. We found many opals also!!!!!!

Thank you again....

Sounds like a great place to plan my vacation. I will be bringing the kids looking forward to see you in June 2013.

I will be saving up to do some Opal mining. See you guys soon. .

We saw the mine on the internet and made our vacation plans to come here. It was great! It was so quiet and beautiful. Everyone was so nice there at the mine. We found a bunch of opals. Jake was very helpful and Julie was great. They are very friendly and always smiling. We are very happy and will definately return. On our stay there, we had this awesome cat hang out with us.

We went up there in Mid July of this year, with victorias parents. We found several opals, and one very nice limb cast. The people that run the mine were friendly and courteous. I cant wait to go again. I also wanted to mention just how quiet it is out there. Its like the quietest place i have ever been. Very relaxing, suprisingly I found the digging relaxing too. If you like rocks or just the thrill of the hunt, this is a must do trip.

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and experience at the Royal Peacock Opal Mine. We met Harry, Julie and Jake. Jake was instrumental in teaching us the mining methods and what to look for. It was our good fortune to find several opals, one weighing in at 96 grams. My wife found the most opals. I found the one large one with just five minutes till closing. I've told all my friends on Face book and many would like to come and experience this first hand. For me, I can't wait to return and do it all over again. Sincerely, Paul & Brenda Lofton, Tampa, Florida.

: roll

Lori and I spent a day at the mine and had a blast! Did not find anything of "size" but found some cool specimens. The great part was witnessing the couple next to us finding a very nice specimen quoted as being worth well over $5000, maybe up to $15000. Very very beautiful.

Great site.
Beautiful stuff.

We spent a day there on the 19th of sept 2011 and came home with some nice opalized wood specimens and a few nice fire opals as well. Not to bad for our first time. The staff was very helpful and friendly. Look forward to going back in 2012 with some friends that are now interested. Good thing too because getting these little buggers is hard work

Our hope is to come in 2012 with our kids. what an exciting family vacation. and adventure Ed & Kelly Andrews

Havent been yet but me and my wife cant wait to try our luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, this is year 14 or 15, I lose track. Hit one of the finest black opal specimens in all these years on this visit on 09/09/11. It's about the "diggin", the opal is a bonus. Thank you Mark, Jake, and Julie for your considerations! Thanks to Paul Jr. for the Matrix specimen.Hope you can keep the Northern Lights bank open a for a another few years, there is nothing like it!!!!! "Big Jim"

My Mother sister and I visited in early 2010 and had the best time ever. However, my Mom died in May of this year so coming back will be hard, but we are planning on making the trip anyway. I still have some material that I carted home and work over every once in a while.

My husband and I came to the Royal Peacock the last week of July 2011.

From the moment we arrived, we were thoroughally pleased with the down-home hospitality we were greeted with!!The wilsons are wonderful people and each member of their staff was courteous, helpful and welcoming. We only dug one day (too out of shape to go for a 2nd day!)but found quite a few very nice small pieces to take home with us. Do not go expecting to become rich. It's all "luck of the draw". The staff tells you what to look for and if you work hard, have a keen eye (and a little luck) you can walk away with some nice gems. Sometimes ppl strike it big, sometimes ppl don't. Come for the experience and the adventure or don't come at all!! Expect to work your rear end off! We will definitely be back later this year and in much better shape to dig that 2nd day!!!

WOW. Thank you all soooooo much, Janet and I had the best get away. Until next time. Please take care

Hi julie we had a great time, and Mark and Jake did a great job instructing me on the wall and my daughter understood what working the tailings means and that she could find great treasure in the tailings I will tell everyone I know, and I have been telling everyone meet. Thanks.
Carlos Avila

Absolute love the website. I've been trying to get enough time off to spend some time digging for the opals and having a good time. This year I will be there with my daughter and grandson. We are all very excited about finally being able to make it over and find the beautiful opals!!

Can't wait to find my fortune at your mines!