Fossicking Lost Opals!

Over 100 years of mining history!
White Cliffs is an iconic Australian town, it was the first place in the world opal was ever mined commercially and for over 100 years the people of this mining community have continued digging the earth and carving out a life in this harsh environment.
You have to be a little bit crazy to do this job but the rewards if you can find them can be magnificent.
Today I take you on a journey into the historic section of the opal field. In the hope of finding some good opal missed or discarded by the old timers.
When work began in White Cliffs the miners had no value for specimen pieces or lower grade opal. All of which have value today!
They only sought high grade cuttable material suitable for jewellery making, this means that if you have a fair idea where to look. It’s still possible today to find some pretty special pieces of opal out there on the surface.
One lucky tourist while visiting the town found such a chunk of opal took it and had it valued at $10000. She made the decision to keep the piece having it cut and made into a family heirloom.
While I have never managed to find something so incredible fossicking, it’s story’s like these that have me going out and exploring when I have the time.
I hope you enjoy the video and see what it’s like fossicking for opals in White Cliffs.
If you wish to support us by purchasing Opal including the opals seen in this video feel free to check out our Etsy store, simply click on the link below.
Shop:
Etsy -
etsy.me/3mSG7uI
Ebay -
ebay.com.au/us...
Social Media Links:
Facebook: / young-guns-outback-opa...
Tiktok: www.tiktok.com...
Instagram: www.instagram....
Contact Us:
Email: [e-mail]
About Us:
Our names are Jaymin Sullivan, James Caruana and Noah Mcdonough we are the ‘Young Guns’ Opal Mining Crew from Discovery Channel tv show ‘Outback Opal Hunters.’
Our love for treasure hunting led us to quit our jobs and move to the desert in search of precious Australian Opal!
It’s a bad day to be a rock!

[@garyhughes4326]

I have been keeping up with you three hooligans since the start and each and every discovery that you make feels like a victory for me as well. You guys have invested a lot of time, energy and money into your dream and I know that you will make a success of it. You are very fortunate to have your dad backing you with his vast knowledge of the industry. Here's to hoping that you are only inches away from that million dollar find guys. Keep up the great work and thankyou tons for taking us armchair miners along on your journey with you. Stay safe guys.

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Each day we learn a little more and the journey so far has been incredible. It’s a privilege to be able to do this job and having the support of so many people has made it possible!

[@garyhughes4326]

@@younggunsopalhunters Thanks so much for the reply guys. I trust that the three of you are all well in these uncertain times. Keep up the great work and I wish you all the success that you deserve. Stay safe

[@timtravis5685]

Hello from Canada! It's awesome to see you guys on here. My favourite episode of Outback Opal Hunters is when you guys found pineapple opals. Thanks for sharing your adventures.

[@mikeforcerer8537]

One of my favorite shows and i love seeing you guys get great opal.

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Hopefully some more awesome finds to come in this new year ;)

[@kennethwalker8402]

I really liked your video. More than the TV show in fact, because you do not do all the artificial drama. You just showed us what you were doing including cleaning the specimens up with the dremel. Thanks.

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Thank you so much for the compliment we have a blast doing the tv show as well and can’t imagine life without Outback Opal Hunters :) we do love creating our own content too and will try to make more :)

[@willbee6785]

Young Oz at its best. Go out there and do it, no holding them back. Love it.

[@ieatcaribou7852]

Those are incredible, reminds me of mosaic opals but natural. Thank you so much for the video, I love watching you guys at work.

[@younggunsopalhunters]

I was blown away by that mosaic one super super lucky find :)

[@TheOldladyB]

That last specimen piece is absolutely gorgeous. Well done .

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Thanks for watching :)

[@robertwoody9573]

Hello from Kennsaw Georgia in the United States. Love the show.

[@andreaspeedy9507]

I can't wait to go there and tackle those mullock hills😊. I threw so many painted ladies away thinking they were worthless 🤦newbie fail..

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Oooh nooo 😭 love painted ladies they are an awesome specimen

[@jeffholmes1362]

You made me miss Whitecliffs, the week I spent specing opal having a ball, I wish I was back there. Thanks for sharing.

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Come say hello if you ever make it back out :)

[@jeffholmes1362]

@@younggunsopalhunters cheers mate, love to. If all this COVID stuff goes away. happy digging

[@SurvivethePoleShift]

Always hunt out your vids....Love to watch you Guys at Work.... Your Fair Dinkum Aussies...a rare breed these days.

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Never work a day doing what we love 🤠⛏ more videos soon thanks for the support legend!

[@aropals672]

Some nice color laying about! Nice to see there's places to go frosicking still. Especially the old fields like that where you know the old timers would leave nice spessies

[@younggunsopalhunters]

It’s incredible the things I’ve seen pulled of the field! Recently someone found a giant chunk of opalised wood with some of the most amazing colour!

[@annakeye]

Kia ora Jaymin, this is a brilliant video. You're walking a risky old location, but you don't need me to tell you that. I love that you have a clear interest in the history of the area. The hardship that contemporary miners experience is bad enough but we can only imagine the misery that those hardy individuals experienced as they dug and chipped away by candlelight or lantern. Keeping safe from snakes and fighting off the flies and mozzies. Why aren't you wearing a swinging cork hat? Does insect repellent help at all? Seriously though, great video. _Mai ki reira. Aroha mei Aotearoa_ Hang in there. Love from Aotearoa-New Zealand.

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Hey thanks so much for the comment! It’s a tough job but can be rewarding. I have great respect for the old time miners who did it much harder then we do today! The only thing that’s harder about mining today is all the paperwork 😂 I definitely need to get me one of those hats if the flies get any worse 😂 Spray helps a bit. If you ever make it over to my corner of the world come and say hello and I will show you around 🤠⛏

[@MrJasonAWood18]

Ahhh your back.!! To long between drinks .!! Good to see your doing well fellas.!!

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Hahaha aye it has been 🍺 more content coming soon :)

[@ThatOpalGuy]

It's great to see a new video from you and your team. Lisa like you're doing pretty well. Those pieces had gem quality color in them. It just goes to show you how easy it was for the old timers that they didn't find those pieces worth the time and effort.

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Is crazy to think what was thrown away back then. Even still with todays mining techniques some opal is missed and lost but pretty much all opal we find today is kept as nearly all opal has value now :)

[@ThatOpalGuy]

@@younggunsopalhunters indeed, that's your fortune now(and for other fossickers). Yes, even more grade and potch can be sold to beginners or those interested in producing doublets/triplets. It's good to see that you guys maximize your profits.

[@TheFeanz]

Hey fellas watch yahs all The time hope use have a good season 🤙

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Thanks for watching and hopefully we will :)

[@musk.e]

Couple of lovely pickers there. Keep it up, love the videos.

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Definitely some choice bits :)

[@DarrenShinn]

I love these side works, the only thing is i wish u gave me an estimated value at end. Great job guys.

[@younggunsopalhunters]

We do values in all our newer videos! Thanks for watching

[@OzoneFineArtVentures]

What a blast to fossick some opals, great (if sweaty) adventure, and you came up with some killer finds. Loved watching the reveal at the end, some real surprises! Thanks for taking us along.

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Thank you for watching :) will have to do another one after it cools off hahah

[@markhepworth7822]

More of this kind of content mate,this the real thing! Keep up the good work chap 👏

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Thanks for watching more coming next month

[@alex.9333]

So glad your back buddy!!!!!.

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Comments like this keep me coming back 😂🤙🏻 will try and post more regularly :)

[@alex.9333]

More posts from the best miners in town yyyyeeeeessssss!!.

[@younggunsopalhunters]

@@alex.9333 hahaha legend!

[@sharonlewis7638]

Whoa, unexpected finds, awesome day!!!!

[@MsPixi66]

It's great to see how you boys are growing experience so glad for you wishing you all the best from England.

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Thanks for the well wishes, we are definitely learning more every day and always trying to improve!

[@DragonkinMetals]

Great videos keep them coming so hard to get episode of your tv show. Huge fans. Thank you for sharing

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment new video out in a couple days :)

[@passthetomahawk]

This was a great video, Coming from California, this makes it feel more promising that an foreigner like myself could come and find some beautiful specimens without having to buy a claim and crazy equipment.

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Thanks for checking it out! I’ve seen tourist find some amazing things on the field things us opal miners look for our whole lives haha

[@poofpoof9940]

Really i love watching you guys, and id love to see you put out videos regularly even if you find nothing, or cutting, polishing and the like when you do! Heck just digging around! Keep it up!

[@kompisworld]

Living the dream! My only option for finding opal would be to move to a different country. Malta doesn't have anything to mine. Glad to follow you guys, you will have to live the dream for me

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Thank you for following :) If you ever make it over this way come and say hello :)

[@diggertheamateurprospector6611]

Love your work, Sir. But even with clouds, that environment looks brutal AF! Beautiful, but brutal

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Thanks for watching! It was a killer day that’s for sure, GoPro was overheating every 10 mins 😂

[@DRMLbyJeffrey]

That would be so cool, especially because you can make specimans, and may get lucky and find a RIPPEROF A GEM the old timers missed

[@kevdimo6459]

Well done guy’s, I’ve really enjoyed watching your efforts in the Opal mining business. You’ve come a long way in the few years since you started. You should all be proud of yourselves. Keep up the great work 👍🏻

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Thanks for the encouragement, it’s been a fantastic journey for the most part has it’s ups and downs but this amazing gem will have us coming back every time 😁 thanks for being apart of our story!

[@glendadalejones3753]

Nice surprise to see your notification young uns Hope your all doing great Excellent video! 🙌👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🙌

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Hahaha thanks for subscribing and watching ;)

[@milesnn]

Awesome video and adventure your outcome was fantastic thank you

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Thank you very much it was an awesome day!

[@murraygiles3191]

Interesting stuff mate greetings from Aberdeen Scotland

[@robhoug3724]

The flip of the goggles 😁

[@keiran_wilkinson]

can't wait to go back to white cliffs 👌

[@alan1340]

Great video, easy start to a possible opal mining career. Been waiting for now video content from you guys, we are suffering here waiting for fresh content :) Glad to see something from you, please dont be strangers :)

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Hahaha sorry for the slow video uploads it is hard to balance doing the tv show actually mining and creating our own videos we will try harder! Thanks for watching 🤠⛏

[@topdownunder2011]

Awesome finds there mate straight off the old heaps! Well done! Thanks for sharing and keep that colour coming hey! Cheers

[@billhatcher2984]

I realy enjoyed this vidio it amazes me that you could do that good I hope you create a lot more content 👍

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Thanks bill will definitely try my best to keep the videos coming more frequently!

[@c.hameleon]

Hey Young Guns! So glad I found this channel!!

[@younggunsopalhunters]

🤠🤙🏻

[@jasonplacing]

Nice specimens awsome

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Thanks a few very nice surprises that’s for sure. The big one was a killer specimen and I thought it was just potch 😂😂

[@thisnortherngirl4448]

Hey nice to see you again lovely to have you back !!! 🙂 seems like its been a while .thanks for the video Guys keep them coming ☺🇬🇧🇬🇧 still got my opal 👍👍

[@younggunsopalhunters]

It’s been quite a while for sure been very busy filming the new seasons of the show but we are back now :)

[@thisnortherngirl4448]

@@younggunsopalhunters looks like the UK won't be showing the new season 🙄 😥 but I'll keep checking just incase 😉 👍🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@fastbikesorguk]

Thanks for an awesome night fossiking experience, loved every minute of it! Wishing you all the best for your future mining and tours 👍

[@mackie_p]

🍍🍍 Been subscribed for a while now! Always love the content!

[@michi24580]

Good on ya mate. well done those are nice pieces.

[@younggunsopalhunters]

All in all it was a fantastic day! I’ve walked around for hours and found hardly anything some times you find a good area and get lucky tho 🤠⛏

[@wilsonrawlin8547]

Amazing Opal. IMO you could cut many of those pieces into stones to be set. Great finds! Especially just walking around for a few hours. Imagine how many small one or two carat 5k gems were tossed aside back in the day.

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Definitely crazy! Could have cut some into some nice gems there but decided to keep them as specimens :)

[@michaelsadventures4261]

I'm close to Fort Knox in Kentucky U.S.A. You found some great finds.

[@lonewolf1401]

Great video nice work can't wait to see the new episodes coming out

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Thanks they should be coming out soon :)

[@KerriEverlasting]

This gives me butterflies

[@michaelfeist745]

Awesome finds🙌

[@younggunsopalhunters]

It’s crazy what can be uncovered out in the old field!

[@V27RV]

Damn Jayman What an awesome video bruv Pls post more if you can Much appreciated man

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Thanks for watching and will be posting another video next month :)

[@stevenbriggs784]

what a dream, so so good.

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Best job I’ve ever had that’s for sure, chase the dreams 🤙🏻

[@Chiptaker419]

Good haul mate!!

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Killer of a day!

[@mrold4702]

Good find and nice work

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Thanks was a hot day but worth it :)

[@bobbyhoward9672]

Wish you guys would upload more videos great work 👍

[@younggunsopalhunters]

We will try and have one every month this year! That is our goal :)

[@samuelallott2604]

I really enjoy your videos! Thank you and good luck!

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment :)

[@RobertWorley]

hope you guys do great this year

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Thank you we will do our very best :)

[@bradcurtin8434]

Great job! Guess you'll do a bit more fossicking in the future with those finds! Give us an update in the future to tell us how much you think they'll all be worth!?

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Thanks for watching only two left of the finds the rest have sold :)

[@samroberts8365]

Incredible, looks like the milky way galaxy

[@younggunsopalhunters]

That’s an awesome name for it!

[@offyarocka]

Awesome vid guys!!!!

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Thank you for watching much appreciated:)

[@warrenlouisiana2277]

Awsome find,,,,

[@younggunsopalhunters]

One lucky opal miner that’s for sure 🤠⛏

[@randalfriesen4515]

One thing I don't understand is when you go looking through the discard piles is why not do it at night. It would be way cooler and you could use a black light. The opals then would stick out like a sore thumb.

[@gazzog6252]

Good work boyz

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Thanks 🤙🏻

[@larryd4352]

Great finds!! Just money laying on the ground waiting for someone to find it!!

[@adamgc73]

Ooh id love to get out there to do some fossicking...bit of a drive 🚗..but may pay dividends 🤔😊

[@goldfeverreliever]

Good on you guys 👍 Keep the videos coming

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Thank you and will do :)

[@zephheine9681]

opal is so beautiful 💜

[@younggunsopalhunters]

The most beautiful gem :)

[@darrellsenn1808]

Those babies will surely stand out better...

[@Peacepipebuddy]

🤙🍻 love it dude

[@fanton777doy9]

Nice opals ..saludos

[@west8436]

Great stuff 👍🇦🇺

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Thanks

[@jacobeaton29]

You guys are smashing it, keep it up brother👍

[@geraldgalbo9144]

Very nice 😁

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Thanks for watching :)

[@ellistreet4331]

well done , love it

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Thanks for watching :)

[@hayleyleo9255]

Love watching you guys. Such beautiful opals ❤️

[@phillipbottrell]

nice find!

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Thank you :)

[@zephheine9681]

thanks 4 share😊lucky u

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Thanks for checking out the vid :)

[@nigellaubsch4499]

Dude, take a geo-pick and dig into those piles - I've done it at Andamooka and Coober Pedy - there's more underneath than just the stuff on the surface!!

[@crosscutter5388]

Wow are those pretty. That looks like fun.

[@piricarroll]

Cool finds! Thanks for taking us along 🙂

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Thank you for watching :)

[@dr4x388]

great video, keep them coming plz :)

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Will do our best to have another one up soon :)

[@lutzwilhelm4761]

👍super was ihr jungen Leute macht Leider kann Mann in Deutschland keine opale finden LG Form Saxonia

[@thomasanglin1751]

Great find. If you're finding pieces like that just walking around, what the hell are y'all risking your lives going underground?

[@phillipbottrell]

Went there on a school trip probably 40 year's ago, one of the chic's found a very nice piece. I still remember how jealous i was :(

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Ah will have to come back out one day and find yourself a special piece :)

[@phillipbottrell]

Without a doubt ...won't be far off.

[@papaemeritusii4525]

We were in White Cliffs in early January and picked up a couple of interesting pieces. Too damn hot to spend too long out in the fields though.

[@zioncardman18]

Badges pieces!

[@silverwishes6000]

I would have so much fun searching

[@younggunsopalhunters]

I highly recommend it! Just maybe not on such a hot day 😂

[@drewyork8514]

I think that big one is still on the Etsy site

[@younggunsopalhunters]

The big one sold we still have one of the other ones tho :)

[@downwiththesneaker9933]

That looks like so much fun! Can anyone go do what your doing? Id love to take a trip and do some hunting like this!!

[@younggunsopalhunters]

There are lots of options for fossicking! Mining properly requires some paperwork

[@downwiththesneaker9933]

@@younggunsopalhunters hummmm might have to start saving for a trip!!!

[@younggunsopalhunters]

@@downwiththesneaker9933 make sure you stop in and say hello 🤙🏻

[@downwiththesneaker9933]

@@younggunsopalhunters hahaha absolutely! Yall do guided tours haha

[@younggunsopalhunters]

@@downwiththesneaker9933 my father does an awesome mine tour

[@mrdilgames6546]

I'd give it all up to move up there and search for the shiny stones.

[@ampuzzler2317]

Yeaahhh, Young Guns! Getin bet'er n bet'er..

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Thank you 🙏

[@feef6098]

Amazing ;) (gal from oz)

[@lapidarydave]

Awesomeness

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Hey thanks for checking it out! 🤠⛏

[@bcurrie9511]

Should walk it with a black light at night .... Be careful of the holes.

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Will shoot a UV video soon :)

[@SuicidelG]

So do you getthe opal out of those rocks and sell them or do people buy them as like collector pieces in the rock for show casing?

[@dimityrivanov3180]

I am wondering if there is any mineral value in this rocks? They all look very oxidized hinting that there is iron in there abd thus possibly gold. Awsome vid guys

[@younggunsopalhunters]

There is actually a gold mine about 40-70kms away and we live 300km from broken hill which has one of the largest mineral deposits in the world or something like that ? Anyway definitely would be some potential but it’s the opals I’m chasing 😂⛏

[@GT-yw8ue]

I was going to say be cool to go down at night with a UV torch but then again i’d end up in one of those holes knowing my luck.

[@MrComfyAustralia]

Awesome vid mate. Is it possible to find speci bits on vacant old mounds if you are a tourist noodling for the first time if careful? up your way?

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Many tourists come to White Cliffs and fossick the whole field.

[@paultherockhound7277]

Hey mate awesome vid awesome finds nice dermal work if you don't mind I would like to share your vid with rockhound round table and the pod cast crew they will love this stuff rock let me know

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Hey sure thing love to meet and connect with fellow rockhounds! Feel free to send me a friend request on fb and shoot me a message there :) - Jaymin Sullivan

[@mrgreeneggs6191]

potch has value, its what i learned to cut opal on ;)

[@rockynewman3725]

Hopefully can release more videos more regularly

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Would love too