I cut $30k of large gem opals.
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- Опубликовано: 24 авг 2024
- Welcome to Black Opal Direct!
We get a LOT of questions about opal but two of the most common are...
How do I cut my opal? How do I price my opal?
Cutting and pricing opal can be a tricky task as there are SO many factors that come into play. Color play, weight, inclusions, and more... it's no wonder we get asked this so often!
You can choose your own adventure, the long version or the short version, to learn all about how we cut and price our black opal.
Watch the short version here: • Cutting black opals an...
Read more on our blog: blackopaldirec...
Let us know what you think in the comments!
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So I have been watching many posts on opals and the cutting of them, and I have to say that you are the best that I have seen. Your a true artist sir, thank you very much for sharing :)
Thank you 🙏
I wholeheartedly agree. Just got into watching opal cutting and the other's I've seen don't even come close to Justin.
That blue stone...wow.
Maybe red is worth more, but that blue is amazing!
Luv your new helper, what a gem
@@garymorgan8915 Thank you so much!
Thank you AGAIN Sir.
I am learning and the ones I've received went clear when I was working the opal yesterday. I'd seen where people were doing something with sugar and acid, or sugar and baking it in aluminum foil in the oven. Your method seems easier. I'm going to light the paper and put a small glass over it to keep the smoke in place and put the fire out. Thank you again for helping me, it's greatly appreciated.
Loved having the option to pick the longer version ... Amazing work !
G’Day from the States!
I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy binge watching your channel. You are so incredibly talented it doesn’t seem fair to the rest of us that you’re also easygoing, funny and kind. You are so generous to share your talent and knowledge with those of us who truly benefit and appreciate it. You’re living the dream my man. Your work is flawless and an art form I believe.
Wow thank you. Such kind words
i wonder if any of these could be made into cameos where you grin the opaque stone away in a relief to reveal opal in the background.
It would be even more amazing to have an opal dome on ones side and a cameo on the other. I'd LOVE to turn that into jewelry.
You could for sure
Hello justin, just an idea about the sand spots on the backside of the polished gem.
Painting them with that potassium' silicate painting in black.
The German trade mark is KEIM.
Love the way you make your job 😊
Sorry for my English writing.
Love the channel and opals!...with what little cutting I have done I'm still amazed at all the different way opal shows itself...
As a total novice, I ha been experimenting , polishing by hand, without diamond grit. A few passable results. This instruction is like a gift from the opal gods. So grateful for your mountain of knowledge you share so generously.
thank you fully enjoyed it. this channel is probably the best in terms of if someone wants to learn something about opal. You are amazing
Thank you
@@blackopaldirect pleasure is all mine sir.
Thanks for these video's. They are beautiful. I am amazed and I fall in Love with each of these beautiful gems.
The 21000 stone is so nice! The small one is so pretty
I thoroughly enjoyed this long version and will watch the short as well. That blue/purple stone reminds me if the lovely black opal I purchased from your site. I am still working on how I want to get it set. I wish I had noticed that you offered appraisals of the stones you sell before I purchased as I would have purchased that option as the stone I purchased is a gift for a loved one. But regardless I am completely happy with my lovely purchase. As always Justin I love your work. I hope to make my way to Australia and see the mines in the next year. Thank you for all you do.
Thank you Tam I am glad you enjoyed. YEs we get the appraisals done independent of us so they are not done by us :-)
I make gemstone jewelry and I'm learning so much from your videos about opals. I did purchase some light pink opals a while ago, but nothing like you work on. Wow!
So glad you took the time to do this video. I'm writing every tip into a manual from how to choose a dop stick, dry the sand to ensuring to polish the sides close to the mounting edge. 5 yrs and counting till I retire so I can start my new hobby. Could you do a vid as if you were helping someone cost out and set up their new work space?
This is awesome I cannot stop watching all videos, you are a real professional and we can see you love doing that
As soon as I heard that second wheel I said it sounds like time for a new wheel and then you said it. So that is what twelve years of cutting has taught me... lol... I know when a wheel is near its end.
Great job. Thanks for sharing the whole process. The finished stones were beautiful.
On the polishing wheel, the green flashes on the third stone were striking.
Loved the large blue one, it looked like blue with glitter on it.
Looking at the first stone the big blue one I was wondering why you did not polish the back and make it a double sided stone. It looked quiet good on camera
I think that large blue opal is my new favourite colour, I'm going to need to hunt down the owner in a few years when I can afford it lol.
Thankyou for the patient and careful tuition mate, good work keep up the good work!
They are all three beautiful stones. I love watching all the phases of the cutting and polishing and seeing the beauty emerge.
I like the small one best. I know it's not rocket science, but you do have an amazing eye Justin.
Don Ed. I thnk you do a very good job of teaching. I got the bug for Opals nearly 50 yrs ago in Honduras. We have some very old mines that are some 400 years old. Thanks for your site.
In love with the dark blue...
What a beautiful opal. The colors are simply amazing ! As usual I really enjoyed the video. Wonderful craftsmanship Justin ! WHOO HOOO FROM CALIFORNIA JOHNNY AND CANDY WHAT!❤
Couple years a go , I try it to cut 48g opals, all the good color is side of it. I make big mistake to cut face of opals. You make beauty full opals. I still love the opals.
You not only bring the color out of the opal, you add color to it by your commentary of what and how you do it. If I was only 55 years younger.....I would let you teach me.
Don t worry mate just start it s the only life we have, I started a jear ago at 77 good look fred
When you spin the third opal, it flashes green like a lightning bug 😀
Thank you for another great video. Beautiful stones always enjoy watching the transformation your a true artist my friend
Thank you
Makes me feel better knowing a master like you struggles to dop as well 😂
Thank you for making my day a little better
Welcome Ned
This is REALLY educational!! When it comes to most stones /....l'm a 'knownothing' ....especially with Opals! However l _can tell_ what stone is the prettiest though, and that _would_ be the 16ct one!!
brilliant loved it. Wish a had a boot full
The only word that describes this is; Awesome!!👍
Relatively new fan of yours, but I love your channel and your work. Thanks for another great video Justin, keep up the great work mate😎🤙 I dont really subscribe to many channels but yours is one I wait anxiously for a new video.
one is coming soon thanks for following
Gorgeous! In doing some research, because I want to imitate the look of all opal colors on my nails, especially the blue one's I need more research on and this helps 🌹God bless you! Greetings from Holland!
XOXO Denice
🥰🙏
Hmm I don't paint my nails so I cant help sorry
Awesome video, thanks mate...
I am addicted to watching you 🤣
If you read this, are you able to shoe a video how you do the fast movement with your finger as the roller/guide to know off the edges? I can't seen to do it
Which do you enjoy the most ? A stone like these 3 that seem at least to me to be easy to bring out the best in . Or a stone that you really have to work at to bring out the best of .
A challenge that I have to work at. That pays off hahah
I can't believe you did the dopping skit with such a nice stone 😮
Awersome job , great piece, love it❤❤❤
Thank you Jason..😊 Spelling has alway been one of my downfalls. I was trying to google "pacha" and was knocked around by my
ignorance.😗 So I've come to the master for advice. How should I spell it?
I'll show you! AHHH
Awesome video as always Justin! We are almost ready to get going 🙆♂️ contact you guys soon!! Greets , the Dutchguy🇳🇱🇳🇱🇳🇱🇳🇱
I really enjoy these videos, but as I watch usually with the sound off I wonder why BOD never activates/includes auto closed captioning... I wonder if Justin knows anything about this?
Wow, great video. Didn't watch the short version because I really love this long version. First, thanks for showing getting the stone attached to the stick with the wax. Never realized how it was done, so thanks for teaching us about that. All I knew before that it was done before any work was done on the stone.
Next a question. The second stone that has so much color play--so bright yet was flat when you started---why is it not desired to keep it perfectly flat given how amazing it looked at that point??
Next, I see when you are using the wheels your hands look to be relaxed. Guessing this comes with lots of practice over months then years. Is it common for folks first working on stones to make mistakes ruining stones because their hands are not relaxed??
Next, is there a rule of thumb people new to this could use to know how lightly (or heavily) level of pressure to use on the stone against the wheel? Or is it a case that a person just has to figure it out for themselves by using stones that don't cost anything at the very beginning of learning?
Is your goal to get all cutting marks out with the 1200 grit wheel a "no exception rule" for you?
Do you ever use a loop to look for cutting marks before moving on (was wondering if it made any difference on the very top quality stones I terms of how the colors come out in the end)??
I ave so much to learn and really appreciate you showing all the aspects of working a stone. And of course, beautiful opals!!
Wow, great video. Didn't watch the short version because I really love this long version. First, thanks for showing getting the stone attached to the stick with the wax. Never realized how it was done, so thanks for teaching us about that. All I knew before that it was done before any work was done on the stone.
YES YOU MUST ALWAYS PRESHAPE AN OPAL BEFORE YOU DOP IT.
Next a question. The second stone that has so much color play--so bright yet was flat when you started---why is it not desired to keep it perfectly flat given how amazing it looked at that point??
IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FLAT FROM INCLUSOINS IN THE FACE OR THE COLORBAR WAS JUST THIN. IT WOULD HAVE MORE VALUE IF IT HAD A DOME
Next, I see when you are using the wheels your hands look to be relaxed. Guessing this comes with lots of practice over months then years. Is it common for folks first working on stones to make mistakes ruining stones because their hands are not relaxed??
YES TIME AND EXPERIENCE HELPS ALOT WITH CUTTING AND THE MORE CONTROLLED AND RELAXED YOU ARE THE BETTER JOB YOU WILL DO.
Next, is there a rule of thumb people new to this could use to know how lightly (or heavily) level of pressure to use on the stone against the wheel? Or is it a case that a person just has to figure it out for themselves by using stones that don't cost anything at the very beginning of learning?
IT IS VERY HARD TO WRITE OR SHOW IN A VIDEO HOW HARD TO PRESS BUT LIGHTLY IS BETTER THAN FIRM
Is your goal to get all cutting marks out with the 1200 grit wheel a "no exception rule" for you?
ALWAYS
Do you ever use a loop to look for cutting marks before moving on (was wondering if it made any difference on the very top quality stones I terms of how the colors come out in the end)??
YES A LOUPE IS ALWAYS GREAT FOR THE FINER INCLUSIONS AND SCRATCHES
I ave so much to learn and really appreciate you showing all the aspects of working a stone. And of course, beautiful opals!!
YOU ARE WELCOME
@@blackopaldirect Thank you so much for such a fast response and taking the time to answer my questions. It is so great to learn about the aspects involved in opals. Wish others did it for stones they work with, however I really appreciate that you do it for opals. My favorite gem...no other stone like it in the world. Now I am also gaining a much deeper respect for opal. I wish I had learned this much earlier in life. I will keep watching your videos--so much more to learn!
Long and short!! Love watching you work. Gorgeous stones. You talked about replacing the nova 600 wheel. Is this the one you've had forever? I remember one wheel you talked about having it for many many years and how expensive they are to replace.
All 3 stones are magnificent, you are truly a master artist!💜💚🧡👍👍👍
Hi Cathi Yeah this wheel is a newer one but its balance is out and I can't fix it. So I think I need to buy a new one
egg whites help stop pain from minor burns.
Love the Tutorial
I'm in canada and managed to get a parcel of Australian opal. Interesting parcel, much more play of color and variety then I would expect. Some pieces of rough are starting to scare me as I rub them. This is my first parcel!! I'm seeing some color like I've seen on here, with very dark body tones. I'm starting to get nervous to try any haha.
Sure! Give me $30K worth of opal and I'll show you how easy it is........Seriously, I found your channel out of nowhere, and I"m in awe of your craft, and the down to earth manner of your presentation. Thanks for sharing the secrets of this beautiful stone with us. Cheers........
Very kind words thank you
Another great video!
You goofy mama jama. It's good to enjoy your job and If you don't then find something that truly makes you happy. Life is way too short not to be happy
I think that the Bluey/Purple Stone is best because it looks like it is good on both sides, and it only needs a hammered fine silver(99.9% silver) collar around the edge, to show off those stunning colours, but the other two need to be set so that the backs are hidden, although that would give you lots of different things you can do to help make the most of them. Also I was wondering what you know(if you have ever made any of them) about the clear crystal covers that doublets have, and backings that triplets have, such as what they are held on with(?), because when you said about having to make one stone flat, I wondered if you could make a dome from clear crystal, and make it into a doublet???
Or have I misunderstood what doublets and triplets are?????
Neat video, and gorgeous opals! I've never seen one that cobalt color before. Stunning! I'm curious what motivates someone to sell a partially-worked stone.
The risk of selling a winner without having to finish it and find a buyer
Justin... What the heck. It's been two weeks since you've put a video out. Are you on vacation?? Hope all is well.
Randy in Des Moines. 👍🌎✌
we have had the hong kong show sorry mate. But I have been working on a brick sized opal and filming it
Black Opal Direct. Can't wait to see it. Don't make us wait too long.
Long version all the way!
well, im more confused than ever, wouldnt color have started to show on the back side of the last one? without looking at it closely im not sur to understand wich ways the sand inclusions runs, enjoyed the video A LOT. Thank you
I like both videos, they each have their merits, plus, it could be a decent way to reach multiple audiences.
@Bilbo Ballbag no, I am a meat popsicle, you?
Incidentally, why do you ask?
David we have 2 things in common, opal and we are meat popsicles
@@blackopaldirect Indeed.
Was just at my rock clubs new building, helping to hang the light fixtures, took a minute to show some of them today's video and your website.
Only one word from anybody with regard to your work though, "Beautiful".
Anyways, keep up the great work!
David Meigs thank you 🙏
Wow! I just love to watch these videos! I don't know much about what these opals sell for but I'm betting that living on a disability income puts me out of the running for getting my wife something like that huh? I have to say that blue-green opal is got to be natures most beautiful creation bar none!
oMG....just watched it......i can't afford the dust on your floor!! Keep showing us those beautiful stones.
All of us is windows shopping, but it is good enough, So expensive stuff, better leave it in windows, 😃
So why don't you press down on the stone whilst pushing the wax upwards?
Wow she is a RIPPER of a HUGE OPAL!
Excellent job! Why would it not be advised to dome the second stone? Because of the flat face, would you risk losing to many carats with attempting round it more?
Thank you for sharing! 👍🇨🇦
You would risk losing color on the face
Black Opal Direct Ah yes, I believe you did mention that in previous episodes as well.
Thanks for sharing Justin you made my morning so much better :)
OpalsByRoy
My mission is complete then :-)
Well I was polishing some opal before this went up so it's a win win
what country are you from. I just wonder the money conversion . I know in my country you can buy stones on ebay way cheaper then you tell the cost of yours and in shops like mine the sone you have set in a silver ring would bring around $300 and would take a long time to find a buyer since most people are scared to ware opal they consider it a bad luck stone.
The Keto Chief eBay has so many treated and fake opals from Ethiopia and China.
The one who says that opal brings bad luck, are the concurrence of opal stones.I have one green- blue opal stone in a big silver ring shape of a water fly,and the opal is the head of the fly.I get it as present from France.
I wonder if your shapes are perfect? Say if you cut one in half. Would it match up perfectly to the other half? Are your radius’s shapes and form completely symmetrical? I admire any hand worked trades. I would have to assure they would be completely true, even if I spent days making sure they came out that way. A good eye and being soft handed. Plus quality tools makes for a fine job. I enjoyed the video. Thinking about getting in to this myself. Good job. Thanks for the information.
I took the long way round. I think it's better!
Also, do you consider your job to be the shape and polisher then send the work to a stone setter? Or do you also set the stones onto their final cabochon?
Hehehe as a mechanic i get burned. Or shocked. More than i like 😜
What is the thickest stone you ever cut, and the biggest
Why didn't you polish the back side of the big blue? It appeared blue on the screen. Would that be a double sided opal?
Thought the blue one was the most expensive one by far. Am i missing something?
hi do you need the soft nova wheels to get results or can you still cut to get a shine on a 1200 or 13000 hard wheel to get results before final cerium polish
Why are opals considered to be bad luck
You need new bearings on the polishing wheels :-)..
how much carat weight is lost in this final process?.. thanks!
About 5 carats each stone approx
I have to edit this, because you started to say what your finer grits were, but I still don’t know what your first wheels(coarsenesses) are or what material they are(carborundum etc), so I won’t remove the comment........
Can you tell me what size grits each of these wheels are, and what are they made from(?), because as a kid, I used to polish stones(only semi precious ones, like local jaspers(bloodstone, etc) and Serpentine etc, from the UK, and some stones from other places supplied in kits) by hand on glass sheets for a flat surface, and in bowls for cabochons, and we used a set of carborundum powders, that started with the coarsest one at an 80 grit, and then three others that were something like a 120grit, 240grit and a 480grit, and we then put a shine on them with a white powder(which I think was aluminium based) that we added oil to, on a leather pad......
Hi ,
Where can i get one of the them grading charts ?
Was the flame hot?🤗🤣
Are the prices you are estimating wholesale pricing?
Can you teach me how to do that?
I enjoyed your video. Thank you for sharing.
John Giovanni Goldsmiths.
Sir how much per carat black opal yellow color with white Cristal
what grit is the first wheel used?
Sacrosanct 360 cintered
@@blackopaldirect thank you kindly, my 320 soft wheel takes far too long then I see yours and i needit in my life :)
Long .. then short version... in that order ... thanks
hahahah crazy
Great video! I just have a question for you. Are you not worried about the fine dust created from the polishing wheels and breathing it in? I only work with making resin jewelry and wear a mask when I'm doing any kind of sanding. But thats resin, I'm not too sure how it goes with crystals or specifically opal. Please let me know and keep up the great work! :)
The OM Network yes if you are cutting dry you need a mask. I do everything wet so it’s not so bad
How do u calibrate the size
i love your videos but i have to turn the volume off lol the noise of the opal on the wheels 💀
could you do a close up on putting on a doable stick
The blue breathtaking. I haven't seen you cut a blue must be rare my favorite is the blue green one the color is just perfect.i love all your videos.When you take a rough stone and turn it into a beautiful gem almost seems like magic .This video showed me how much work really goes into shaping and polishing these beautiful stones .You are definitely a artist thanks again
My dream is to have a dog tag style white gold pendant with one of them beauties.
Like muito bom like ✌👍😁😇
Black opal direct, I've been seeing alot of wedding bands that are sold opal, but they are all lab grown. Would it even be possible to make an entire ring out of real opal?
Solid Opal*
Yes I have seen them also and no i have never seen a real one yet
@@blackopaldirect if it was even possible for you to make one, any idea what one might weigh? For cost?
Love these beauties
Price
Have you ever had a stone that you could not salvage a good cut from and all you could do is throw it into an ashcan
All the time
Yep, watched both.. lol
haha you must be sick of me by now
Never! I am a serious rock hound and opals are my absolute favorite. While kids in my neighborhood were reading comics and trading football cards I was reading the lapidary journal. That’s were I discovered black opals and fell in love! I am so envious of your talent and skill only wishing I could have had this as a life path. For my birthday I only asked for my parents to take me to a gem field or the like and I would just play in the dirt all day coming home with pockets full of rocks. I still love to play in the dirt... my home looks like a natural history museum...
when you do the back of a polished stone on the coarser wheel, can the grit that comes off scratch the polished side?
!!!!!! No but if you slip and touch the polished side it will cut marks back into the polish
@@blackopaldirect That makes sense :-) I was just curious. Thanks!