As for your question- I DO feel your pressure. I believe this is why so many of us like your channel, we like watching, and feeling all the things thru you. Going from feeling the pressure, to the excitement of being able to bring out the beauty in each stone, it all comes full circle! You're honesty is palpable. How refreshing!! Not to mention your artistry, which is admirable. All these things without being overbearing, or boastful. Thank You for letting me come along on these adventures with you Justin, I very much enjoy it each time. ❤
That's a gorgeous stone, and just what I would buy, if I could afford to spend that sort of money. I sit here with all the feels as you cut these stones. It's what I watch for!
I was gonna say the same! My dream opal looks pretty much exactly how this one turned out: nice and black, with mainly cool colors, but flashes of reds, oranges, and golds! Ugh, such a dream. 😍
Not only this but as a foreigner and non professional you can't buy rough opals like this for this price. My guess is you have to know the miners directly to get this material. What is selling online looks much less intresting and is much more expensive
I like how Jason is fair with his educated gambles. If that poch and sand had been 1/2mm deeper then the stone would have had little worth and he would have been out $. I’d like to see some of the better looking stones he buys that turn to crap. We usually only see his side of the transaction but I feel he deals with the diggers equitably, sometimes he busts and sometimes he flosses😂
I’m going to speak for everyone. We are cheering for your success. It’s not so much about fearing you might lose $500. It’s the excitement of seeing something hidden in the ground for a zillion years and being there when something astonishing emerges. That’s the excitement.
Why are opals measured by carat when it's the surface area that matters? Weight seems meaningless- couldn't you just leave the stone thicker (and heavier) and artificially inflate the price? So why is opal not measured by square millimeter?
You say there is $12,000 worth of color on the stone, having more carats on the back of it will just make The price per carat drop so it always equals $12,000.
Aprox carat value can be based by total weight minus the volume of the natural host material if the stone is cut well. It is or can be based on weight reduction. Plus the black opal works different due to its total top and side surface being clean. No visible cracks, inclusions and such.
What a ride. Edge of my seat. Even with the spoiler, it was much better than I expected, after seeing how thin the bar was after you rubbed the sides. What a stunner! Mahalos
I hold my breath everytime you are cutting the stone. When the color starts coming out, I get as excited as you do!!! Love seeing those colors come out of a rough looking rock! Love your videos!!
I love the fact that even though I have zero skill in cutting opal stones, I do have eyes and I can see as well as you when that hidden opal color emerges from the rough. It is very exciting and fulfilling!
As a novice/amateur cutter - oh boy do I feel the tense moments with you: the sadness at sand ruining what "could have been" and the elation of the stone cleaning up when you thought all hope was lost. I started out with what my friends called "rubbish" opal: mostly potch but with a little bit of colour in them, which to me at the time seemed like super expensive pieces to be "wasted" by me learning. I didnt try to make "perfect" stones, but instead learned how to shape the stone to best bring out what was inside despite being full of sand and inclusions - "perfectly imperfect" I called them =) Even in those batches, I'd occasionally come across a piece that I knew I didnt yet have the skill to do it justice and didnt want to ruin prematurely - so I have a decent collection of stones "for Ron" =D Always love watching your vids and thankyou so very much for delivering the lessons you've learned in a way that makes it not only informative, but fun! Best wishes from Port Lincoln =D
I watched a guy working an opal one time and he could not figure out why his stones would crack when working them. It took me a second to figure it out, he did not have water on the wheel or turned on for that matters......YIKES. Great video Justin and great gem.
I feel the tension. I'm happy for you when they turn out beautifully! I'm glad you show when they don't turn out. To know sweetness we must also know sour, savory, salty... the other possibilities life brings.
I cut my first opal yesterday. I have a dremel but wanted to do it by hand. You've been my main source of information Justin and I don't think I would have even thiught of it without the influence of you and your skill. Cutting took a fair while but I am happy with the result. I don't have scales but I would estimate it's somewhere between 2 and 3 carats of very nice CP opal with blue, green, yellow, orange and loads of red. Very pretty. And then I did another smaller stone because it turns out cutting them is like pringles 🤣 A parcel of small nobbies and chips purchased on ebay that cost less than $20 and two stones already made me back my money many times over and have paid for the gear I also purchased so I could cut them. Could turn out to be a great way to make a bit of independent cash while I can't work and a good match for off grid vanlife 👍
I always feel tension when you cut stones. You've improved the production quality of your videos immensely since I've started watching them. The choice of music for the background helps accentuate the dramatic vibe inherent in grinding virgin opals.
@@blackopaldirect the thing is, production quality may help make the video more watchable but it does nothing to increase the educational content within them, which was(and is) the primary driver that keeps me coming back time after time.
Absolutely feel the pressure. Every time I watch you cut a large investment I’m really on the edge of my seat. it’s like I’m watching a football game and I’m pulling for your team! 🎉
As I only found your channel a few weeks ago, I've been playing catch up...I realized I'm going to be doing this for quite some time! Lol. Going to be fun!
So a $500.00 dollar rock and 100 dollars of sanding cost $5000.00? I for one do appreciate you showing us just how jewelers screw people. Your video saved me almost $3500.00 when I showed my girl just what she was wanting and the real cost.
Woow...when skill and luck combine!...those colors....blue...purple....green...yellow...orange and a hint of red even!...amazing gem!....i sign up for the give away!...hehehe....thanks for sharing!
@@blackopaldirect you're motivation is entirely different though. Lovely gem, but I noticed the inclusion pretty quickly and, though it's top color, I'd struggle to hand over 5 grand for it (assuming I had 5k to spend on a black opal). Still, I'd be happy to own it if some generous benefactor would buy it and gift it to me.
When I watch the live streams Justin I'm always at the edge of my seat chewing my nails extremely engrossed in the outcome as if it were my own stones, but when I'm watching these videos not so much cos you always give away the outcome in the title lol, but no matter what all your videos are very entertaining so crack on!. :) (I hope I used 'crack on' correctly lol)
I'm an Aussie living in the UK. (I grew up in Forster- Tuncurry in NSW) I get up in the morning ,make a coffee and hope that there's something new from you guys to watch as I'm waking up. Grey and cold here at the moment but your vids brighten my day. It's great to hear the accents and watch the gems being revealed. Thanks.
I get excited watching and hoping that Opal will be awesome ! I'm sorry that I have been gone for a while been busy on my farm and had lost my favorite horse a few months back . I'm doing better but not back to being a 100% yet ! Take care , stay safe and healthy with whatever you and your crew maybe doing next !
@@blackopaldirect It's life on a farm . I buried the horse so anyway time I feel down I just visit his grave thinking of the great times that we had in the 26 years together !
@@steveclark4291 That is such a beautiful and touching story. My heart goes out to you. 26 years sounds like such a long time, but we are never ready to lose a loved one regardless of the time we had with them. God bless and take comfort that one day you will be reunited.
Back in the 80's my then BF gave me a opal pendant that looked very similar to this one as far as size & colour. After we broke up, I threw it away, kind of kicking myself now.
Wonderful stone I love that swirl of color near the red. I'm still practicing my polishing. Starting to finally get it with the help of your video's. Hope the move is going well. Thanks for taking the time to film. Have a great week
Seems to me your gambIing against your skiIIs. Your skiII to choose the right stone, your skiII to research the coIor bar, your knowledge to use the wheeI to your advantage, your steady educated fingers to manipulate the gem faces and your ability to take us aIong on your journey. Thanks for the adventure and story teIIing.
Well, no pressure in this one as the title tells the tale. Normally tween sand, potch and cracks I'm a nervous wreck. I couldn't place the color pattern? I'd call it "galaxy" pattern as it looked like something in space! Great gem!
A fun hobby?? That i can di in my spare time?? Like a retirement hobby? Yeah so I can have a heart attack every time the sand don't clean up fast on my 500 nobbie
Anyone that cuts stones feels the pressure and we have to stop and breathe every now and then. Any day you turn a profit, is a good day. That stone had all the colors and was just beautiful. Thanks for sharing. Be happy, safe and stay healthy. 😷⚒
Great video as always. I’m sure you get asked this all the time but why would someone sell a $500 knobby that they could turn into $2500 after a couple hours on the wheel?
Oh wowsers! This takes my breath away! And yes the anticipation, and I find myself holding my breath and encouraging you...even my muscles tense and relax as you go along with the stone. I'm happy that your hard work and skills have paid off big time! My hear is full of joy watching you work with opal Justin.
That red in with the green is beautiful 🤘Pressure is real 😁 win or lose it's still a rush watching how the opal turns out. Thanks for another vid. Hope y'all are well and best of luck ✌😁
I've tried to use the knowledge you've past down to me.. I'm cutting a 100c5 parcel of Boulder opal as my first parcel. I got a brilliant blue block pattern that is 1 directional. It's gorgeous but small. Still even more in love now❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣🖤🖤💔💔🖤🖤💔
Hello there from ChCh , NZ .... I am so glad to have 'tripped' upon your Fantastic vidclips again ... I have not 'seen' you in ages .... Just love your Work, Enthusiasm and Narration.... All the Very Best to You and Yours for 2022, may you find more Wonderful Stones to share with us..... I am over 70 already, a retired 'engineer', so really appreciate your work. Would love to come over to Oz again, this time try to see Opals from 'wo to go' .......Keep well and Stay safe ....
I can’t believe how entertaining these opal cutting podcasts are. I fell onto Black Opal Direct podcasts and have been watching and learning every day since. The cutting process is fascinating and the production quality of these podcasts is so well done that it all comes off like it’s easy. I’m a fan.
I am looking to buy a Parcel from the Opal Shop in Lightning Ridge. Could you give me a reference for the seller there? Do you know the shop? I am looking to spend between $200-$400 for a parcel. Or if you know a trusted seller, it would be appreciated. Thanks Justin.
They say of gambling, "when you lose, it's bad; when you win, it's worse !" B-) But, as you say, this is more in the line of risk related to an educated guess and skillz, Good On Ya, Mate ! As a joke puts it, Michelangelo quips : “All I did was chip away everything that didn’t look like David.”
I think it is actually worth 500,000,000,000. I'm sure you can find some rich person to buy it for that if you try. They really need it so they can show it to their friends to show the how special they are. You just need to create a good story about it so they can tell their friends and impress them. E.g., "The gem was mined from a mine that has 3M slaves who work 22/7 and are forced to eat their own feces to survive as they mine. Every week the bottom 10% most unproductive are exterminated and replaced. This opal was the only opal found after 20 years of mining.". I'm sure a story like that will get them hard and want to buy it for 500,000,000,000 or so. You'll probably have to go to Sotheby's though.
What I love about this video is that around the 11:46 mark you do a flashback to what the original uncut knobby looked like, which I can contrast immediately after when you cut to the shot of the finished product. I love seeing the before and after comparison. Indeed, a split screen of the two would be ideal for me.
IV just finished one with out it cracking..yes it's an Ethiopian opal but ! It's the skill of making just one with out it braking IV achieved so I figured if I can conker Ethiopian opal means IV quite mastered it free hand 👌I will now take on more expensive Australia opals next !!!
Serious question: why are Opals so valuable? Aside from looking nice, they aren't really THAT rare compared to other gemstones, and unlike almost every other gemstones Opals don't seem to have any industrial/practical uses...
As a casual observer the pressure (or more like anxiety) I feel is purely concern over the polishing wheel, the opal, and your next move...More like a person watching a thriller. I can't imagine how you feel...When you are judge, jury and executioner of a plan the buck stops with you.
Sometimes, I get nervous about when you go deep into the color. But then I ensured myself that you're the profession, l and I just started learning about opals and how to cut them. I enjoy your videos and teaching. TY!
I feel no pressure only confidence in you to turn out a rippah [edit: you called it a 'crackah'] of an opal... Thought for sure at 11:11 we were going to see the "happy sprinkler dance" when you stood up....... Beautiful stone! 👍👍 👏👏👏👏
I also love the red flash. I estimated $9k because of the electric color play. There is zero experience with opal pricing in my background. So far I’m usually close to estimating the price. Today I over bid. Maybe because I really like this stone. One day I’m going to have to get one like this.
Hi Justin, you definitely convey your anxiety and joy as you cut. That’s the major appeal of your channel. Otherwise it’s just beautiful colours, nice as they are....
As per your question... Nope. I don't feel any pressure when you're bringing the gem to light and to life.. I feel totally confident in your skills and just like to watch it happen because it fascinates me how you "find" beauty.
Yes I too feel the pressure. On my seat wondering will it turn out for him? Sad when it goes on the sand jar & so so happy when it works out. Boy did this one turn out. For a while I was thinking oh boy this is so iffy. What a surprise! You're the man J.T. Might have to start calling you the GOAT. Take care.💜
Great video as always 😊so is this the same kind of rough to expect from your website for 500 dollars? I'd buy a Nobby like that just for display purposes if ever available please let me know thank you and good luck in 2022
I have what I was told was a black Opal worth at least $ 500.00 it Is wire wrapped in Silver do you know of any places i can have the jem Apraised? i live in Oregon USA and haven't been able to find an Gemologist to appraise it for me. Im willing to ship it if it's Necessary. Any help would be appreciated. Love your video's I watch them as soon as you post .
Do you have your opals certified before you sell? I am trying to figure out why prices vary so much for example on the Lightning Ridge finished products. I see some less than $50 and some $1500 for the same size. I have ordered some nobbies to work with but I need to figure out the pricing. Love your videos, thats the only reason I have ordered some. Thank you
Yep, it's an absolute snorter alright. What a beauty, Justin. Wasn't really nervous, as the intro kind of gave it away. Didn't spoil my enjoyment one iota, though. Thanks for sharing.
Mmmmnn, looked surprisingly easy to grind away to end up with a lovely stone. Just common sense really combined with patience. Would be fun to have a bash...
Thank you for all the motivating videos and the stunning results; we can see how much you are enjoying the process. Being from The Netherlands, and wanting to start cutting and polishing by hand with potch, do you know how/where that can be obtained? I have seen boulder opal wth some color traces sold for reasonable prices. Would that be an option, what are your thoughts? Thanks, Jan
We always look forward to Justin and his knobby
😂😂😂
Best comment ever.
Haaa!😃 You're naughty! And this is one of the most beautiful nobbies I've ever seen, truly. 😉😂
Deffo an absolute ripper ! Those wee flashes of red in the best aquamarines. Droolingly beautiful
God dam it, you made me choke on my pizza ahaha!
As for your question-
I DO feel your pressure.
I believe this is why so many of us like your channel, we like watching, and feeling all the things thru you.
Going from feeling the pressure, to the excitement of being able to bring out the beauty in each stone, it all comes full circle!
You're honesty is palpable.
How refreshing!!
Not to mention your artistry, which is admirable.
All these things without being overbearing, or boastful.
Thank You for letting me come along on these adventures with you Justin, I very much enjoy it each time. ❤
Such kind words garden. 🙏❤️ thank you
Yep
I always feel the pressure and stress you go through! I always love it when you have a painless and wonderful outcome.
Thank you 🙏
Hello 👋 dear, how are you doing?
@@blackopaldirect it'd be cool if you up dated us on what the stone actually sold for.
That's a gorgeous stone, and just what I would buy, if I could afford to spend that sort of money. I sit here with all the feels as you cut these stones. It's what I watch for!
I was gonna say the same! My dream opal looks pretty much exactly how this one turned out: nice and black, with mainly cool colors, but flashes of reds, oranges, and golds! Ugh, such a dream. 😍
Not only this but as a foreigner and non professional you can't buy rough opals like this for this price. My guess is you have to know the miners directly to get this material. What is selling online looks much less intresting and is much more expensive
You could get some labradorite instead
I like it when you quantify the financial risk you take. It helps us understand the risk involved. Glad it turned out so well for you😊
Glad you liked 🙏❤️
His risk vs reward is super low and that's how he's able to make a living off it. Its not gambling in the slightest.
I like how Jason is fair with his educated gambles. If that poch and sand had been 1/2mm deeper then the stone would have had little worth and he would have been out $. I’d like to see some of the better looking stones he buys that turn to crap. We usually only see his side of the transaction but I feel he deals with the diggers equitably, sometimes he busts and sometimes he flosses😂
That is an amazing gem.
You definitely earned that 5k.
I could get addicted to this, kinda treasure hunting. Literally treasure hunting.
I’m going to speak for everyone. We are cheering for your success. It’s not so much about fearing you might lose $500. It’s the excitement of seeing something hidden in the ground for a zillion years and being there when something astonishing emerges. That’s the excitement.
Why are opals measured by carat when it's the surface area that matters? Weight seems meaningless- couldn't you just leave the stone thicker (and heavier) and artificially inflate the price? So why is opal not measured by square millimeter?
Was wondering the same ...
If the carat has color, it’s worth more than just the regular potch on the back.
You say there is $12,000 worth of color on the stone, having more carats on the back of it will just make The price per carat drop so it always equals $12,000.
Aprox carat value can be based by total weight minus the volume of the natural host material if the stone is cut well. It is or can be based on weight reduction. Plus the black opal works different due to its total top and side surface being clean. No visible cracks, inclusions and such.
What a ride. Edge of my seat. Even with the spoiler, it was much better than I expected, after seeing how thin the bar was after you rubbed the sides. What a stunner! Mahalos
Haha nice Stoney. Glad you liked
Indeed we feel that pressure! I often find myself releasing my breath during your videos. Keep up the amazing work and sharing. Thank you!
Stunning gem. I love any Opal that reminds me of a Hubble photo of swirling gas clouds!
Ah that sparkle is amazing! Another rippah, Justin!
I hold my breath everytime you are cutting the stone. When the color starts coming out, I get as excited as you do!!! Love seeing those colors come out of a rough looking rock! Love your videos!!
I love the fact that even though I have zero skill in cutting opal stones, I do have eyes and I can see as well as you when that hidden opal color emerges from the rough. It is very exciting and fulfilling!
Hello 👋 Medelyn, how are you doing?
As a novice/amateur cutter - oh boy do I feel the tense moments with you: the sadness at sand ruining what "could have been" and the elation of the stone cleaning up when you thought all hope was lost.
I started out with what my friends called "rubbish" opal: mostly potch but with a little bit of colour in them, which to me at the time seemed like super expensive pieces to be "wasted" by me learning. I didnt try to make "perfect" stones, but instead learned how to shape the stone to best bring out what was inside despite being full of sand and inclusions - "perfectly imperfect" I called them =)
Even in those batches, I'd occasionally come across a piece that I knew I didnt yet have the skill to do it justice and didnt want to ruin prematurely - so I have a decent collection of stones "for Ron" =D
Always love watching your vids and thankyou so very much for delivering the lessons you've learned in a way that makes it not only informative, but fun!
Best wishes from Port Lincoln =D
I watched a guy working an opal one time and he could not figure out why his stones would crack when working them. It took me a second to figure it out, he did not have water on the wheel or turned on for that matters......YIKES. Great video Justin and great gem.
Haha yes they would have heated up
I feel the tension. I'm happy for you when they turn out beautifully! I'm glad you show when they don't turn out. To know sweetness we must also know sour, savory, salty... the other possibilities life brings.
Glad it feels real because it is
What a great result!
It's terrific that the yellow and red colours made an appearance.
Thanks for posting.
Welcome and thanks for watching
Thank you for sharing this with me !
I feel the stress for you but know you are a true master.
that feeling when the pressure finally lifts is amazing. always leaves me shaking
That gem turned out to be amazing with the colour flashes in it. Nice gamble Justin, thank you
Thanks Tony
Its not so much of a gamble when you know what you are doing !!!!!
I cut my first opal yesterday. I have a dremel but wanted to do it by hand.
You've been my main source of information Justin and I don't think I would have even thiught of it without the influence of you and your skill.
Cutting took a fair while but I am happy with the result. I don't have scales but I would estimate it's somewhere between 2 and 3 carats of very nice CP opal with blue, green, yellow, orange and loads of red. Very pretty.
And then I did another smaller stone because it turns out cutting them is like pringles 🤣
A parcel of small nobbies and chips purchased on ebay that cost less than $20 and two stones already made me back my money many times over and have paid for the gear I also purchased so I could cut them.
Could turn out to be a great way to make a bit of independent cash while I can't work and a good match for off grid vanlife 👍
I'm in your boat currently
Fantastic result Justin ........ one of the prettiest Gems ever ! Love it !
Thank you 🙏
This will be very exciting to watch Justin cutting a knobby into a magical gem!
Hello 👋 Susanne, how are you doing?
Dude you are so confident when you grind off the amount you do!
Many years my friend
I always feel tension when you cut stones. You've improved the production quality of your videos immensely since I've started watching them. The choice of music for the background helps accentuate the dramatic vibe inherent in grinding virgin opals.
Thank you Don yes I watch over the old ones and cringe 😂
@@blackopaldirect the thing is, production quality may help make the video more watchable but it does nothing to increase the educational content within them, which was(and is) the primary driver that keeps me coming back time after time.
Hi hillo idol, God bless you. Nice a beautiful rock's. Watching from pinas setio palanog Garita San Enrique Iloilo.
Absolutely feel the pressure. Every time I watch you cut a large investment I’m really on the edge of my seat. it’s like I’m watching a football game and I’m pulling for your team! 🎉
As I only found your channel a few weeks ago, I've been playing catch up...I realized I'm going to be doing this for quite some time! Lol. Going to be fun!
Why too many adds
You purchase the knobby for $500, will sell gor $5000. Plenty of profit.
Absolutely stunning gem💕
Wow... beautiful gem!!😍
Hello 👋 dear, how are you doing?
So a $500.00 dollar rock and 100 dollars of sanding cost $5000.00? I for one do appreciate you showing us just how jewelers screw people. Your video saved me almost $3500.00 when I showed my girl just what she was wanting and the real cost.
Have you ever heard of paying for a master to do something? It was the master’s skill that turned a so called 500 dollar rock into a gem-worthy stone.
Oh, my dear, I am happey your work, and i have more than 1kg black obol. Whow to contect about all gemestone.
I am not a cutter, a newbie opal admirer. I just felt relieved and happy watching this!
the thrill of anticipation........ like the first date with a beautiful woman !
Woow...when skill and luck combine!...those colors....blue...purple....green...yellow...orange and a hint of red even!...amazing gem!....i sign up for the give away!...hehehe....thanks for sharing!
Haha nice thank you for watching
This is my friend justin and he's cracked at cutting opal my guy.
Profit is necessary, but I come here for the art.
Yes me too sort of lol
@@blackopaldirect you're motivation is entirely different though. Lovely gem, but I noticed the inclusion pretty quickly and, though it's top color, I'd struggle to hand over 5 grand for it (assuming I had 5k to spend on a black opal).
Still, I'd be happy to own it if some generous benefactor would buy it and gift it to me.
When I watch the live streams Justin I'm always at the edge of my seat chewing my nails extremely engrossed in the outcome as if it were my own stones, but when I'm watching these videos not so much cos you always give away the outcome in the title lol, but no matter what all your videos are very entertaining so crack on!. :) (I hope I used 'crack on' correctly lol)
Haha nice. Thank you chad
I love how the eng. auto suptitles turn carat into carrot because of his australian dialect. 😂
I definitely feel the pressure, just as much as I feel the joy when you cut a beautiful gem. I love it when you succeed despite the odds.
I hold my breath and forget to breathe when you cut these! Stressful is the right word for sure.
🙏🙏
I'm an Aussie living in the UK. (I grew up in Forster- Tuncurry in NSW)
I get up in the morning ,make a coffee and hope that there's something new from you guys to watch as I'm waking up.
Grey and cold here at the moment but your vids brighten my day. It's great to hear the accents and watch the gems being revealed. Thanks.
Aww thank you I used to go to Forster for holidays all the time
I get excited watching and hoping that Opal will be awesome ! I'm sorry that I have been gone for a while been busy on my farm and had lost my favorite horse a few months back . I'm doing better but not back to being a 100% yet ! Take care , stay safe and healthy with whatever you and your crew maybe doing next !
Glad you are back and am sorry you have been in hardship
@@blackopaldirect It's life on a farm . I buried the horse so anyway time I feel down I just visit his grave thinking of the great times that we had in the 26 years together !
@@steveclark4291 That is such a beautiful and touching story. My heart goes out to you. 26 years sounds like such a long time, but we are never ready to lose a loved one regardless of the time we had with them. God bless and take comfort that one day you will be reunited.
@@lorenrobertson8039 Thank you for your kind words and thoughtfulness !
I have nothing to do with opals or gems, but I find this man and what he does fascinating.
A wonder, a beautiful specimen.😀 Congratulations. Kind regards & greetings from Poland
Thank you
Back in the 80's my then BF gave me a opal pendant that looked very similar to this one as far as size & colour. After we broke up, I threw it away, kind of kicking myself now.
Hello 👋 Maggie, how are you doing?
Question, Is hydrophane Ethiopian opal cut the same way as Australian opal? Won't the water damage hydrophane?
Some people cut it dry
Wonderful stone I love that swirl of color near the red. I'm still practicing my polishing. Starting to finally get it with the help of your video's. Hope the move is going well. Thanks for taking the time to film. Have a great week
Practice, practice, practice! Glad you're enjoying the videos!
gorgeous gem!
500 into 5,000 doesn’t happen every day! I’m sure you wish it did! Nice!!!!!
Life would be too easy of it did
Seems to me your gambIing against your skiIIs. Your skiII to choose the right stone, your skiII to research the coIor bar, your knowledge to use the wheeI to your advantage, your steady educated fingers to manipulate the gem faces and your ability to take us aIong on your journey. Thanks for the adventure and story teIIing.
100% right 🙏
Well, no pressure in this one as the title tells the tale. Normally tween sand, potch and cracks I'm a nervous wreck. I couldn't place the color pattern? I'd call it "galaxy" pattern as it looked like something in space! Great gem!
Haha nice Michael I was hoping to make it a worry free episode
Love you Justin! Thanks for the tips and your efforts.
10 times the investment??? Where do I sign up?
My favorite part is finding the stone, tho it does make me tense at times!
The man who is always in the money is back!
I have already seen this stone on Gems canal and absolutely loved it. The oranges are beautiful.
This stone was never seen by another person except the miner and myself
@@blackopaldirect I think she meant the gemstone opal, itself
@@blackopaldirect I meant the gem after cutting process. :)
A fun hobby?? That i can di in my spare time?? Like a retirement hobby? Yeah so I can have a heart attack every time the sand don't clean up fast on my 500 nobbie
😂😂
Anyone that cuts stones feels the pressure and we have to stop and breathe every now and then. Any day you turn a profit, is a good day. That stone had all the colors and was just beautiful. Thanks for sharing. Be happy, safe and stay healthy. 😷⚒
That's an mazing stone Justin! Keep 'em coming. Always look forward to your new content.
Thanks Rock
Nah not feeling it. I didn't invest 500 dollars though!!!
Fair lol
Just love watching these gems being born and its always great to see it working out so so well for you ;-)
Thank you 🙏
all careers have a cost of education. Not so much throwing the money in a poker machine as paying tuition.
True
Do you ever see your gems put into settings for jewellery? That must be a great moment knowing that someone is wearing one of your own opals.
Hi Gordon, its one of my favourite things, seeing the joy opals bring to others is the best!
Well done! Beautiful Opal!
Great video as always. I’m sure you get asked this all the time but why would someone sell a $500 knobby that they could turn into $2500 after a couple hours on the wheel?
Because it could turn out to be a dud worth $0. Plus it takes skill to do what he does, opal is so soft it's so easy to grind away to nothing
Try it yourself and see how easy it is 😊
Awesome, thanks Justin. I live to watch in anticipation. I have been watching quite awhile, and can see what you're doing. I enjoy it every time 🤓
Thank you for watching Rick
Oh wowsers! This takes my breath away! And yes the anticipation, and I find myself holding my breath and encouraging you...even my muscles tense and relax as you go along with the stone. I'm happy that your hard work and skills have paid off big time! My hear is full of joy watching you work with opal Justin.
That red in with the green is beautiful 🤘Pressure is real 😁 win or lose it's still a rush watching how the opal turns out. Thanks for another vid. Hope y'all are well and best of luck ✌😁
🙏❤️ thanks Steve
@@blackopaldirect Y'all are welcome 😉✌
I've tried to use the knowledge you've past down to me.. I'm cutting a 100c5 parcel of Boulder opal as my first parcel. I got a brilliant blue block pattern that is 1 directional. It's gorgeous but small. Still even more in love now❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣🖤🖤💔💔🖤🖤💔
عمل رائع ومقاطع جميله افضل ان تترجم كل مقطع تقوم بتحميله باللغه العربيه لكي نستفاد من كلامك ونفهم ماتقول ولكي يزيدون المشاهدات شكرا
Hello there from ChCh , NZ .... I am so glad to have 'tripped' upon your Fantastic vidclips again ... I have not 'seen' you in ages .... Just love your Work, Enthusiasm and Narration.... All the Very Best to You and Yours for 2022, may you find more Wonderful Stones to share with us..... I am over 70 already, a retired 'engineer', so really appreciate your work. Would love to come over to Oz again, this time try to see Opals from 'wo to go' .......Keep well and Stay safe ....
I can’t believe how entertaining these opal cutting podcasts are.
I fell onto Black Opal Direct podcasts and have been watching and learning every day since. The cutting process is fascinating and the production quality of these podcasts is so well done that it all comes off like it’s easy.
I’m a fan.
I am looking to buy a Parcel from the Opal Shop in Lightning Ridge. Could you give me a reference for the seller there? Do you know the shop? I am looking to spend between $200-$400 for a parcel. Or if you know a trusted seller, it would be appreciated. Thanks Justin.
They say of gambling, "when you lose, it's bad; when you win, it's worse !" B-)
But, as you say, this is more in the line of risk related to an educated guess and skillz,
Good On Ya, Mate ! As a joke puts it, Michelangelo quips :
“All I did was chip away everything that didn’t look like David.”
I think it is actually worth 500,000,000,000. I'm sure you can find some rich person to buy it for that if you try. They really need it so they can show it to their friends to show the how special they are. You just need to create a good story about it so they can tell their friends and impress them. E.g., "The gem was mined from a mine that has 3M slaves who work 22/7 and are forced to eat their own feces to survive as they mine. Every week the bottom 10% most unproductive are exterminated and replaced. This opal was the only opal found after 20 years of mining.". I'm sure a story like that will get them hard and want to buy it for 500,000,000,000 or so. You'll probably have to go to Sotheby's though.
What I love about this video is that around the 11:46 mark you do a flashback to what the original uncut knobby looked like, which I can contrast immediately after when you cut to the shot of the finished product. I love seeing the before and after comparison. Indeed, a split screen of the two would be ideal for me.
IV just finished one with out it cracking..yes it's an Ethiopian opal but ! It's the skill of making just one with out it braking IV achieved so I figured if I can conker Ethiopian opal means IV quite mastered it free hand 👌I will now take on more expensive Australia opals next !!!
Serious question: why are Opals so valuable? Aside from looking nice, they aren't really THAT rare compared to other gemstones, and unlike almost every other gemstones Opals don't seem to have any industrial/practical uses...
As a casual observer the pressure (or more like anxiety) I feel is purely concern over the polishing wheel, the opal, and your next move...More like a person watching a thriller. I can't imagine how you feel...When you are judge, jury and executioner of a plan the buck stops with you.
Don't know about pressure...all I know is, watching you, I find I've been holding my breath!
Sometimes, I get nervous about when you go deep into the color. But then I ensured myself that you're the profession, l and I just started learning about opals and how to cut them. I enjoy your videos and teaching. TY!
I feel no pressure only confidence in you to turn out a rippah [edit: you called it a 'crackah'] of an opal...
Thought for sure at 11:11 we were going to see the "happy sprinkler dance" when you stood up.......
Beautiful stone! 👍👍 👏👏👏👏
I also love the red flash. I estimated $9k because of the electric color play. There is zero experience with opal pricing in my background. So far I’m usually close to estimating the price. Today I over bid. Maybe because I really like this stone. One day I’m going to have to get one like this.
The chips are you pushing!
"Let the stone do the work"
Should be nothing but mud on your skin but everyone would notice the chips.......
Every time you go in for the grind I’m at the edge of my seat routing for ya… and yes when a nice gem emerges I get a wave of relief as you do!
Hi Justin, you definitely convey your anxiety and joy as you cut. That’s the major appeal of your channel. Otherwise it’s just beautiful colours, nice as they are....
As per your question... Nope. I don't feel any pressure when you're bringing the gem to light and to life.. I feel totally confident in your skills and just like to watch it happen because it fascinates me how you "find" beauty.
Yes I too feel the pressure. On my seat wondering will it turn out for him? Sad when it goes on the sand jar & so so happy when it works out. Boy did this one turn out. For a while I was thinking oh boy this is so iffy. What a surprise! You're the man J.T. Might have to start calling you the GOAT. Take care.💜
Boy Justin, that one was sure a sleeper. Opal is a risky biz, glad this one came through for you. So beautiful!
Hello 👋 Cathy, how are you doing?
@@Godwinpounds4333 hey there, I'm good! How about you?
@@cathyerley3057I’m doing good, it’s nice meeting with you here. Where are you texting from?
@@Godwinpounds4333 I'm in Oregon, you?
@@cathyerley3057 I’m from Florida, the weather here is creepy cloudy and cold. How is the weather condition over there?
Great video as always 😊so is this the same kind of rough to expect from your website for 500 dollars? I'd buy a Nobby like that just for display purposes if ever available please let me know thank you and good luck in 2022
I have what I was told was a black Opal worth at least $ 500.00 it Is wire wrapped in Silver do you know of any places i can have the jem Apraised? i live in Oregon USA and haven't been able to find an Gemologist to appraise it for me. Im willing to ship it if it's Necessary. Any help would be appreciated. Love your video's I watch them as soon as you post .
Do you have your opals certified before you sell? I am trying to figure out why prices vary so much for example on the Lightning Ridge finished products. I see some less than $50 and some $1500 for the same size. I have ordered some nobbies to work with but I need to figure out the pricing. Love your videos, thats the only reason I have ordered some. Thank you
Yep, it's an absolute snorter alright. What a beauty, Justin. Wasn't really nervous, as the intro kind of gave it away. Didn't spoil my enjoyment one iota, though. Thanks for sharing.
Mmmmnn, looked surprisingly easy to grind away to end up with a lovely stone. Just common sense really combined with patience. Would be fun to have a bash...
Thank you for all the motivating videos and the stunning results; we can see how much you are enjoying the process.
Being from The Netherlands, and wanting to start cutting and polishing by hand with potch, do you know how/where that can be obtained? I have seen boulder opal wth some color traces sold for reasonable prices. Would that be an option, what are your thoughts?
Thanks,
Jan