Fee Diggers At the Dust Devil Sunstone Mine
Dust Devil Mine
Dust Devil Mining Co. was founded by rock hounds who believe
the Oregon Sunstone is on the threshold of becoming a very
popular gemstone and that demand will cause the price increase
considerably over the next few years. Partners Terry and Jude
Clark and Don and Patsy Buford searched BLM records for the
entire state and discovered three abandoned Sunstone claims in
the Central Oregon High Desert near Plush, Oregon. The number
of claims grew from three to nine, then fifteen, seventeen, and
now twenty-five, including opal and varicite claims in Nevada
and fire agate claims in California.
The Dust Devil Mine is now one of largest gemstone mining
operations in the U.S. The mine is also one of the most
environmentally conscious mines using large equipment.
Oregon Sunstone was officially named the Oregon State Gemstone
by Governor Neil Goldschmidt and the Oregon legislature in
1987. Since that time Oregon Sunstone has been gaining
popularity with collectors, artists, and jewelry lovers
everywhere. It is now one of the leading gemstones mined in the
U.S.
