Royston Turquoise Dig (High Desert Gems & Minerals)

Tonopah, Nye County, Nevada. Fee dig.

Details

Map. Tonopah, Nye County, Nevada. Larger map

Where: Tonopah, Nye County, NV. No street address stated. Directions
Fees: Half Day Dig (3hours) is $150. per person; Full Day Dig (8 hours) is $200. per person; Kids 12 and under are free; Kids 13-15 yrs old half price (With paying adult).
Access: By reservation only, weather permitting.
Walk-in or reserve: By reservation only, weather permitting.
Phone: (775)225-4245
Website: highdesertgemsandminerals.com
Managed by: High Desert Gems & Minerals.

Shovel and screen your own turquoise from the mine's large ore pile. Each person in your family/group will be provided their own screen and dig area.

1902The Royston district in Nye County was first discovered in 1902 and continues to produce turquoise today. nevadamining.org
1911The Royal Blue, the major mine in the district, produced as much as 1,250 pounds of turquoise a month between 1911 and 1936, though not worked consistently; district production was estimated to exceed $5 million. nevadamining.org
1944Lynn Otteson's first Nevada mine was a Royston Claim leased from Lee F. Hand, which he worked part-time while traveling from Colorado. ottesonbrothersturquoise.com

Chris Rose, contact and operator of the Royston turquoise fee dig for High Desert Gems & Minerals.
Denise Olson, contact and operator of the Royston turquoise fee dig for High Desert Gems & Minerals.
Lee F. Hand, well-known Nevada turquoise miner who discovered Royston Turquoise and controlled over 30 claims in the Royston District (1902).
Lynn Otteson, mined a Royston Claim leased from Lee F. Hand, his first Nevada mine; his family has mined claims in the district since (1944).