New Opal Mines in Idaho. Share full article. Nov. 27, 1892. Credit... The New York Times Archives. See the article in its original context from November 27, 1892, Page 17 Buy Reprints.

Spencer Opal Mines and Opal Country Café is owned by Claudia and A.J. Couture. It's the original mine that opened in 1968, and the family says Spencer Opal Mines and Café isn't changing.

She owns the Spencer Opal Mine, the oldest and largest mine in the area. Couture’s parents bought their 40-acre claim in 1964, and the family moved to Spencer in 1968 when she was 15.

Claudia Couture, owner of Spencer Opal Mines in Spencer, Idaho,, said although common fire opal is not worth a lot of money, the size did make the find unique.

Data from a statewide mining report shows there are about 8,800 abandoned mines across Idaho. That could still have impacts on the environment and human health.