Rare Michael Rogers Virgin Valley Nevada Boulder OPAL STERLING SILVER RINGsz9.75

This is a superb vintage Navajo michael rogers silver ring having a large oval boulder opal surrounded by a handcarved silver border with a solid wide silver band! The center stone measures around 19mm x12mm The ring face measures around 19mmx12mm The ring size is around 9.75 Sterling silver. Michael rogers One of the last Authentic California Indian Handmade jewelers, with 40 years of experience, he is a true master of his art. His handmade jewelry is loaded with rich textures, colors and design using only natural material. His artwork has a modern look but is based on old themes. Virgin Valley opal Nevada is famous for its beautiful, colorful opal. The state contains some very rich precious opal beds and has produced some spectacular and extremely valuable specimens. The Virgin Valley opal beds in northwest Humboldt County are perhaps the most famous gemstone locality in Nevada. High quality precious opal emitting a multihued rainbow of color is found replacing wood or other plant material in this remote location. The Virgin Valley Opal field is in an isolated desert area south of Highway 140 about 25 miles southwest of Denio. Precious opal was first discovered here in 1905 and a number of claims were located at that time. Exploration of these deposits has been continued intermittently by various parties since that time. The opal field lies within an area approximately 5 miles wide and 10 miles long in certain beds outcropping along the walls and slopes of Virgin Creek Valley. Geology of The Virgin Valley The Virgin Valley opal district is located in Humboldt County, Nevada, approximately 40 miles northeast of Winnemucca. The geology of the district is characterized by a series of tuffaceous sedimentary rocks of Miocene age, known as the Virgin Valley Formation. These rocks were deposited in a lake environment, and are interbedded with layers of diatomite and volcanic ash. The opal in the Virgin Valley district occurs as replacements of diatomite and volcanic ash layers. It is thought to have formed during the late Pliocene epoch, when silica-rich fluids circulated through the rocks. The uranium in the opal is thought to have been derived from nearby volcanic rocks Many opal experts consider the Virgin Valley material to be some of the best, brightest and most beautiful opal yet discovered. The Virgin Valley deposits produce a wide variety material from intensely colored crystal opal to some of the world’s finest black opal. Brilliant flashes of red, blue, yellow, green and all the rest of the rainbow emanate from these spectacular gems.