I trained as a digital soil mapper. I'd love to spend a few days out there just mapping your Opal mines for fun! I'd happily share my data with you- maybe we can learn some more about Opal formation that makes finding it easier for you :)
I just bought my first piece of opal from Justin at black opal direct yesterday! I can't wait until it arrives at my doorstep! I'll soon have it set into a ring is my plan
Awesome Video ! Would Love to Experience it ! I live in Eagle River Alaska so probably never will . But still buy a little and cut and polish some rough . Nothing in the World as far as stones like Opal !
Watching George at Coober Pedy opal mining getting shaft down and bottoming on gem green seam opal. Sandstone on top of the level is well bleached, thats why opal was formed by lots of water washing out brick red colour out of desert sand which in time become hard sandstone. If colour of sandstone was red with no white bleaching at least 50% than want be much opal formed, the more whiter the better for opal forming. Miner just had to observe areas where he knows that lot opal was mined from the area. Look the dirt that drill brought up. Red dirt from most shafts is no good. White is where opal was mined.
15:00 it's a battle that we cutters face; we want to maximize and show off an Opal in as close to a natural state as possible, but consumers want a symmetrical shape and smooth dome for jewelry and will pay more for that. I think the happy middle ground is a cut like the bottom-centre stone on my profile pic. It's got a smooth dome but is left a free form shape as per where the colour was in the rough.
Those are My God’s Creation of opals and look how they sparkle in the Light my God Created to give us sight! Praise My God for the gems of opals! Great credit goes to the People who suffer a lifetime digging them free for you and me! Thanks Australian People of my God! For giving us opals!!!! Thanks 🙏
Thank you! You said what I have been asking for years! I want an opal in it’s natural form, not an oval or square or circle! I want an opalized shell set in a pearl cage on a necklace so it can keep its natural shape! I want it to look like an opalized sea shell, if that’s what it is, so PLEASE stop cutting into unnatural shapes already, most of us will love you for it!
Hi Dwi: Because there are many black minerals that can have a similar appearance, we do not recommend sight identification. The mineral should be tested using gemological instruments to identify it based on its physical and optical properties. Sincerely, GIA p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 15.0px Calibri; color: #1e497d; -webkit-text-stroke: #1e497d} span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
Official GIA Channel Thanks GIA.why iam ask this,because i have some black stone.but i don't know what they are.i think they harder than obsidian,and not like a glass.they looks like' a stone.
i would love the chance to prove to GIA that there are other types of black opal just as beautiful as Aus. I can be packed and ready in minutes. When do we leave? I will help finance the expedition.
Seeing video of Fred Naluck mining I have known his family Richard & Trudy years ago when Richard was mining with two partners Joe & little Joe at Lightning Ridge and Glengary seam opal. Much later Richard becomes an opal buyer and a few years ago he died from hearth problem my he RIP! Fred mostly mining with modern machinery haven't learned where opal is forming, that's why gem opal gets smashed by a hydraulic digger. He only knows after washing few trucks that getting opal comes from that area, but knowing whereabouts distance from sandstone roof, he wouldn't have an idea when he Diggs, only when he looks after and sees result in the wall of the level? It's a shame that a lot of gem opal is smashed into chips mining as he and other machinery miners mine for opal! They need to observe and learn where opal is forming at the clay level? Dig underneath of as fare as you can and then nock it down with teeth pushing straight in and not moving teeth down. This way it wil fall down in lumps avoiding opal being smashed!
a "colour bar the size of a microwave"..... and he is still looking for a better one than he last found... Photos please? It sounds like the story of the 3m flatty!
No addiction gets you in as much as opals! Well my friend I know a couple of addictions that will kill 95% of the time AND destroy people who tried to keep the addict alive. That's DESTROY all things worthwhile in life
The show you have seen is dramatized, however this is an actual documentary filmed and uploaded by the GIA, a leading gemological research institute that helps to verify consumer purchases meet an objective standard. So they have a vested interest in posting undramatized and actual stories/information from the mines.
@@ALLAN8762 so just wondering, how many times have you been to Lightning Ridge? Or any Opal field for that matter? Again this is an information piece from a Gemological institute, not a heavily dramatized show on Discovery channel. I would recommend doing some research on who the GIA are as they have posted this video.
I accidentally eroded my girlfriend’s opal earrings that I got for her by leaving the opal in water so I don’t understand how the opal doesn’t dissolve as he so claims??
Most opal doesn't react to water, some opals from the Welo province in Ethiopia are hydrophane and will absorb water if immersed for a long time, in some of these opals it induces cracking
The opal buyers and jewelers of the world need to embrace natural-shaped opals instead of conforming to the boring circle, square, oval shapes. People will buy what you give them; don't offer conventional shapes and they will buy what's available. When a retail business short-changes the beauty and size of a stone to conform to an arbitrary standard shape, no one wins. So much stone is wasted. The Earth is giving us these rare beauties, so stop peddling a manufactured false beauty standard. Natural is always better!
Thank you so much for the information you give without talking down to us. Your great personality sure comes through.
I trained as a digital soil mapper. I'd love to spend a few days out there just mapping your Opal mines for fun! I'd happily share my data with you- maybe we can learn some more about Opal formation that makes finding it easier for you :)
Excellent documentary,. Miners did a fine job of explaining their operations!
I just bought my first piece of opal from Justin at black opal direct yesterday! I can't wait until it arrives at my doorstep! I'll soon have it set into a ring is my plan
Very interesting and informative. Thanks for sharing. Best of luck to all the miners.
I'm American but I love Australian people I love to watch them work on stuff I think my mind is awesome wish I could come there and dig in the mugs
Great Informative video! Impressive. Thank you 😊
Amazing piece, thank you! Will keep this in mind every time I am cutting a Lightning Ridge opal :)
Clean operation! Love it. Good luck Brother!
Awesome Video ! Would Love to Experience it ! I live in Eagle River Alaska so probably never will . But still buy a little and cut and polish some rough . Nothing in the World as far as stones like Opal !
opal's freestyling!!!! love it!!!
I'd love to get the dirt they wash off the stones after leaving the cement mixer. That's probably really good clay for pottery.
Did this guy dirty on the title picture. Great video
Great video there is no better way of life than living here at the ridge ;)
Hi Sil: We're glad you liked the video!
Watching George at Coober Pedy opal mining getting shaft down and bottoming on gem green seam opal. Sandstone on top of the level is well bleached, thats why opal was formed by lots of water washing out brick red colour out of desert sand which in time become hard sandstone. If colour of sandstone was red with no white bleaching at least 50% than want be much opal formed, the more whiter the better for opal forming. Miner just had to observe areas where he knows that lot opal was mined from the area. Look the dirt that drill brought up. Red dirt from most shafts is no good. White is where opal was mined.
Lovely thumbnail!!👍🏻👍🏻🤣😂
*hello, this is justin from Black Opal Direct*
15:00 it's a battle that we cutters face; we want to maximize and show off an Opal in as close to a natural state as possible, but consumers want a symmetrical shape and smooth dome for jewelry and will pay more for that. I think the happy middle ground is a cut like the bottom-centre stone on my profile pic. It's got a smooth dome but is left a free form shape as per where the colour was in the rough.
Excellent comment, thanks for explaining!
Thanks for making this.
Thank you, awesome video with a plethora of information.
18:37 *head starts bobbing* Ohhhh yeah here comes that sick beat!
HELL YEAH!!! LOL
I was so happy they decided to stand next to a running motor so we could hear him talk over it...
A really nice video . Bravo !
WONDERING WHETHER THERE ARE ANY CONDUCTED TOURS TO LIGHTNING RIDGE.
IF YES, CAN WE HAVE MORE INFO ON IT.
If only there was something like a worldwide network where we could research this, right? That would be so cool.
Those are My God’s Creation of opals and look how they sparkle in the Light my God Created to give us sight! Praise My God for the gems of opals! Great credit goes to the People who suffer a lifetime digging them free for you and me! Thanks Australian People of my God! For giving us opals!!!! Thanks 🙏
Awesome video 👍
Where does your water come from? Looks like you use a lot of it
Thank you! You said what I have been asking for years! I want an opal in it’s natural form, not an oval or square or circle! I want an opalized shell set in a pearl cage on a necklace so it can keep its natural shape! I want it to look like an opalized sea shell, if that’s what it is, so PLEASE stop cutting into unnatural shapes already, most of us will love you for it!
16:40 I really love the sound and the idea of an economic towndurn.
How to identification ini first sight difference between black obsidian,onix and serendibite?
For an aprximatelly without gemslab?
Hi Dwi: Because there are many black minerals that can have a similar appearance, we do not recommend sight identification. The mineral should be tested using gemological instruments to identify it based on its physical and optical properties. Sincerely, GIA
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 15.0px Calibri; color: #1e497d; -webkit-text-stroke: #1e497d}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
Official GIA Channel
Thanks GIA.why iam ask this,because i have some black stone.but i don't know what they are.i think they harder than obsidian,and not like a glass.they looks like' a stone.
What will it take to get GIA to take a field expedition to a new area with black opal with same quality as Australlian ?
i would love the chance to prove to GIA that there are other types of black opal just as beautiful as Aus. I can be packed and ready in minutes. When do we leave? I will help finance the expedition.
Are they mining on open land?
Seeing video of Fred Naluck mining I have known his family Richard & Trudy years ago when Richard was mining with two partners Joe & little Joe at Lightning Ridge and Glengary seam opal. Much later Richard becomes an opal buyer and a few years ago he died from hearth problem my he RIP! Fred mostly mining with modern machinery haven't learned where opal is forming, that's why gem opal gets smashed by a hydraulic digger. He only knows after washing few trucks that getting opal comes from that area, but knowing whereabouts distance from sandstone roof, he wouldn't have an idea when he Diggs, only when he looks after and sees result in the wall of the level? It's a shame that a lot of gem opal is smashed into chips mining as he and other machinery miners mine for opal! They need to observe and learn where opal is forming at the clay level? Dig underneath of as fare as you can and then nock it down with teeth pushing straight in and not moving teeth down. This way it wil fall down in lumps avoiding opal being smashed!
Hello sir
I wonder how much opal these guys destroy. Seems like a very destructive way to mine opal.
Hard work to do with toothpick
how else are they going to do it, you want em to use a spoon?
the producers must of made a deal with the flies
Jarrod Rod Joyce 👀👍
sounds interesting
a "colour bar the size of a microwave"..... and he is still looking for a better one than he last found... Photos please? It sounds like the story of the 3m flatty!
Powerfish V2
No addiction gets you in as much as opals! Well my friend I know a couple of addictions that will kill 95% of the time AND destroy people who tried to keep the addict alive. That's DESTROY all things worthwhile in life
i like irregular shapes and would leave as much material as possible. grinding it off for A shape is ridiculous.
rad video
Turabi Gems
Exilent
loveeee
လှပတောက်ပသောတွင်ထွက်ရတနာတမျိုးလှပသောကျောက်သားထဲကအရောင်တောက်ပနေသောအရောင်များထိန်သိန်းထားသောကျောက်တမျိုး
Just seen this on Discovery Channel and seems like Ice road truckers B.S talking it up as usual
The show you have seen is dramatized, however this is an actual documentary filmed and uploaded by the GIA, a leading gemological research institute that helps to verify consumer purchases meet an objective standard. So they have a vested interest in posting undramatized and actual stories/information from the mines.
@@ALLAN8762 so just wondering, how many times have you been to Lightning Ridge? Or any Opal field for that matter? Again this is an information piece from a Gemological institute, not a heavily dramatized show on Discovery channel. I would recommend doing some research on who the GIA are as they have posted this video.
I accidentally eroded my girlfriend’s opal earrings that I got for her by leaving the opal in water so I don’t understand how the opal doesn’t dissolve as he so claims??
Most opal doesn't react to water, some opals from the Welo province in Ethiopia are hydrophane and will absorb water if immersed for a long time, in some of these opals it induces cracking
I joined the Royal Marines with Ron….back in Jan/64..I plan on popping in on him one day…lol…Jock Donaldson Torrevieja Spain..
En español y tendrías más suscriptor es
This audio gave me covid-19
I hate conventional shapes... I love free form... Check out my rubbins
YALL NEED TO LEARN STRIP MINING
They care about the environment in Australia
Y'all Yankees need to stop *RAPING THE LANDSCAPE* , like that TV reality series, Yukon Gold...
The opal buyers and jewelers of the world need to embrace natural-shaped opals instead of conforming to the boring circle, square, oval shapes. People will buy what you give them; don't offer conventional shapes and they will buy what's available. When a retail business short-changes the beauty and size of a stone to conform to an arbitrary standard shape, no one wins. So much stone is wasted. The Earth is giving us these rare beauties, so stop peddling a manufactured false beauty standard. Natural is always better!
It is all pretty much gone
Too much talk, too little opal!
and you got too little brain
Boring
လှပသောအရောင်များပြသထားသည်