HOW TO TREAT Matrix Opal: STEP BY STEP. (Create Your Own Black Opal Gemstones!)
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- Опубликовано: 6 сен 2024
- The basics of treating Andamooka matrix opal using the sugar/acid technique.
The slow cooker referred to in the video is a 1.5 quart by Proctor-Silex (available on Amazon for about $19.00). The proper setting for heating the sugar and the acid solution is "low." (Produces 170-200 degrees, approximately).
Really enjoy watching you work with the opals. Never had much interest until watching your shows. Now I'm hooked on these stones. Great show!
Amazing work. Can't believe the before and after pictures
Thank you very much for taking the time to make all the videos and share what youve learned !!
Thank you for the video and explanation sir. I will most certainly keep this video in mind and refer back to it in the future when I am ready to treat matrix.
I thoroughly appreciate the knowledge you share.
I LOVE your videos! Your skills and wit are second to none!
Guess I'm better late than not at all, right?! Thanks for sharing your technique on how to make the opal matrix black. I've really been wanting to learn how to do that. I, also, really enjoyed watching you rip through that "Royal Family" of Aussie beautiful opals! I learned a new technique today too. About marking the crown to dome your stone. I usually just eyeball it. Your video & commentary~enjoyable!
A stunning beauty! Thanks for the great information
Great video. This is the first time I've seen any part of your face. Probably the last time too!
That is so cool to see!❤ thank you for sharing.
I really want to buy matrix Opal, it looks so spectacular on camera, I need to see it in real life!
Thank you very much for sharing your unique knowledge to us.
Woow..fantastik..
Is the acid in the bottle diluted when you put it in the ceramic pot of the cooker? You said "solution", so not sure how to understand that. I have some old, rather plain whitish with some color, Andamooka" cabs. I'd like to try this. Thank
@@PulitzerOpal Thank you thank you thank you....
@@PulitzerOpal The opal cabs I have are from an old collection marked "Andamooka" - is it the right opal to treat? Is there non-matrix Andamooka? If not, with the treatment ruin what I have if it's not the right Andamooka? These cabs look a LOT like the whitish pieces you treated. Thank you again.
@@PulitzerOpal Fab, thank you again. The cabs are not super nice, kind of an ok batch that I got from a guy that traded the use of my truck for a dump (lol!)run for a handful of older stones. I think I'll email you and send you pics if you'd be willing to give me your opinion - based on them.
thanks for sharing your videos :) i love learning from ppl like you !
its yours by justice, the love of opal need ppl like you to shine and be known to others so we can learn together . thanks :)
I need some help with 2 Andamooka opals that i have been told are solid untreated but im realy not sure and ill be happy to know your opinion before testing them and paying much for certification here in Israel GIA
can you see them and tell me what you think and teach me how to check in the short way?
I could have helped, if I had seen this 6 years ago!
Pulitzer Opal For years I've been researching opal formation, gathering every bit of knowledge I can and, in lieu of the almost-damn-near-impossible-to-obtain works by Len Cram, managed to "grow" an opal specimen, ring-shaped, around the inside of a small jar in my bedroom. In my own little alchemical world, I thought I was a whole hive of bees' knees! Oh naivety...
The hive is obviously empty because I've never even heard of impregnating opal matrices with carbon content... until I watched this years-old video...
And my mind is BLOWN! This is wicked cool. Mind if I ask how you came across this technique?
....or are you a wizard?
Wizard or not, im subscribing.
@@PulitzerOpal I believe I have visited aurora, but Ill look it up just in case I missed something 😀
Are they the ones from where he had rows of different sized jars with many different kinds of opal he'd grown?
Oh! I always miss the gem show =/ my buddy rotates with 2 or 3 others, the glow rocks. Cool stuff!
@@PulitzerOpal i used two different kinds of kaolinite i had ordered at the time, but the quantities were small... which probably explains my small yield! the process i repeatedly came across all over various blogs were all the same, only differences i noted was one person would cite approx measurements in metric, another in standard. over time i found that these methods were full of holes, bare-bones, lacking lots of important information that would otherwise save one from many strolls down the grocery baking isle 😂😥
that said, the process involves ( f/ what i can remember, but I'll link to a proposed method when i have an opportunity, to clarify the measurements):
--fine-ground aluminum, which was then heated over an open flame for some time
--add that to a mixture of.. 1. an electroyte of sugar, salt, and i believe baking soda, and 2. kaolinite clay/opal dirt
--shake it up, and let it sit somewhere for at least 3 months.
pretty much it.
the parts that were left out...
...this could get lengthy, ill continue in a reply to this comment
(i forgot, crushed silica gel beads are also in the list of ingredients)
ok, now the important hole-filling things i feel will one day make all the difference between potch and success:
-the suspension must be highly alkaline. preferably a STEADY pH of 9 or greater.
-the water should be distilled, as silica is deposited through a process of ionization, and
-in layers.. the container should be rocked back and forth, not shakin (my opinion, promotes better layering)
-silica gel beads are too difficult to crush fine enough for any light refracting matrices to develop - substitute with lots of kao clay/opal dirt/crushed silica gel crystals (fresh step kitty litter).
-the ionization takes place in that high pH setting in the presence of metal oxides... aluminum has different stages of oxidation, the one we want is the *soft* dull grayish oxidation that *flakes* off the surface of aluminum, obtained by oxidizing aluminum in high heat.. white hot coals, rocket stove, high heat, hotter than the 'campfire' approach i came across.
-direct sunlight will ruin any play of color you're trying to produce
-ohhhh and i found a snippet somewhere from an old tabloid of a man talking about Len's shortcut for instilling silica into the mix, providing him results much better than his previous results... called TEOS, or tetra-ethyl orthosilicate.. difficult to obtain outside of a science related learning environment w/o a necessity... back then. nowadays, you can order it online.
i messaged the seller at the time and asked if he had any lying around he wanted to get rid of "for the sake of SCIENCE!" just trying to be funny, and he doubled my order at no extra cost! it was the TEOS that finally produced results for me.
aaaand writing this just gave me an 💡!!!
gonna try another approach, i'll know in a few months if it works, and if it does, im definitely sharing 😁
@@P3nguinDarknes5 you're the wizard, you wizard lol
Please keep me in the loop, can I have your email?
@@P3nguinDarknes5 you're blowing my fucking mind
what do you do with all the left over acid and how many times can you use the acid before you need to change it out?
hi, ive recently inherited about 1000 ounces of various opal about 90 ounces of crystal from Andamooka, 40 ounces of partly treated matrix from Andamooka, the rest is all from cooberpedy, various quality i took a small bag of the crystal opal to show some opal professional buyers in the city, there jaws literally dropped, i went to 3 different buyers, to get a idea of what would be the value, they said between 2000 per ct, and one chap said around 5000 per ct due to the extreme solid reds, they are stunning, they want to buy in the rough, the {crystal} opal was mined in 1962 at Andamooka they are solid back to back crystal, with extreme reds as well as all the other colours, my father and 3 partners sold most of the original parcel for 600,000.00 pounds back in 62, the problem i have is i want to sell each stone individually not as a batch, they are all exceptional stones and i want them put into freeform jewellery, I've seen some of your pendants and they look awesome, I'm sort of hoping maybe we could brainstorm a design together?, ive shown a quite a few opal people that have been in the game for well over 50-60 years, not buyers but miners, they all said they've not seen anything like it, would you consider working up a design with me? these stones look awesome even in low light {candle light}, or can you recommend someone?. cheers
Joe - due to the extreme inflation and devaluation of the dollar that is coming our way the next few years (and is baked into the cake due to our government and central bank policies) I recommend you hold onto these stones as long as you can. If you sell them now in five years the proceeds will have lost nearly half its value, while if you keep them they will likely appreciate well beyond inflation due to their outstanding quality. I like your idea of selling the pieces individually. You will maximise your gain as you gain experience that way. You are well positioned as we enter a precarious time, I am sure you feel gratitude towards your father. He knew what he was doing when he set that material asidide. Best of luck.
Sorry that I missed this, Joe. I would have loved to see the opal.
so what is the price of treated opals compared to lets say white or crystal opals ,any idea?
Asking for clarification, is the acid to go in the pyrex and the slow cooker bowl for heating? Can the acid be reused after heating? If so, I would only guess that the acid that didn't come into contact with the stone might be reusable.
If you see his Pyrex has holes in it when doing the acid part of the treatment. Meaning both the Pyrex and slow cooker were filled with acid. I think he has the Pyrex with holes in it so he can easy remove the opals without having to fish them out from the acid solution.
Hello thanks for your nice videos about opal . For heating opal in sugar is 175 Celsius or Fahrenheit. And during 4 or 5 days must put in oven and keep temperature.? Also when put to acid must keep temperatures for few days ?
Thank you
What function does the sugar solution serve?
It looks pretty but it has an artificial look to it, if that makes any sense. I can't quite tell why it makes me feel that way, but it seems very different from the other opal. Maybe its because it loses its translucency. If there was a way to dye just a portion of the opal's thickness black or perhaps only have it slightly darken, I think it might look much better.
This is matrix opal, Simon. It will always look like this, unless you don’t treat it. That is an option if you have some. The changes only penetrate 1-2 mm. If you are expecting Lightning Ridge black opal, you will be disappointed, but not for lack of color. Matrix is not heirloom opal, like some solid opal, but if you really love the look of opal and you cannot afford the good stuff, matrix is an awesome substitute. Look at some more of my videos on matrix opal. You’ll begin to feel it, I promise. Try this one:
ruclips.net/video/ohi-5UtWZvI/видео.html
wow what a transformation !
I couldn't care less about opals, your funny and you show me shiny things
Blasphemy!
How long does it take to cook matrix opal in the oven?
Sir did you heat acid or without heat you put stone under the bicar
I have a few Opals that I've cut that I am not sure about. You have an email address where I could send you some pictures please?
Amazing! Its like seeing magic.
So my test batch of mostly matrix opal that's been polished has been in acid about 20 hours now. At first I was pretty worried because the acid turned black but the stones only darkened a tiny bit. I raised the temp for about 20 minutes every hours or so for 5 hours. Finally the stones started to darken significantly. I just worked a 14 hour shift. I can't wait to get home see how they're doing.
@@PulitzerOpal well I mean they will have you bake that sugar until it's carbon. Then there's nothing to react their method as far as I'm concerned destroys opal. It's not supposed to be hardened it's carbon but it's not the kind of carbon you get from a chemical reaction. It's ashey and gross.
Would this work with white boulder opal or no since it's not all opal
Thank you so much for making this video!! :)
Can you provide more details regarding the sulphuric acid treatment. How long do you treat the matrix with the acid. Is it the acid fumes that treat the matrix. You don’t immerse the matrix directly into the acid. What is the value of good quality matrix compared to solid opal??
Is it 175 Celcius or farenheight?
Show me how to make matrix Indonesian opals(kalimaya)
Hi. How deep is the treatment and can you shape the opal after treatment.
Powdered sugar has cornstarch mixed with it so it doesn't clump so easily. Would that add to the carbonization?
Can you also tell me how long do you keep in sulfuric acid and what is the temperature of that
Do you know where I can purchase some matrix Opal?
great info
How long should we keep matrix opal in sugar solution for cooking in oven ?
Does the treatment reduce the value at all? I've always been interested in this but don't want to risk a decent opal if it ruins the value.
Daniel R I would also like to know how it stands up to wear.
Wonder if doing this in a pressure cooker might make the treatment go deeper.
@@PulitzerOpal worth trying. Could be a good video.
So do the stones ever go directly into the liquid acid or just the gas?
Liquid only. Hot concentrated sulfuric acid.
Is there a easy way that I can do this at home ? ..
Right on!
Did you use stone under bikar ,and bikar have holes ? Please guide me
Holes in beaker
nice video
Can this method be done to boulder matrix ?
what would this do to already black matrix opal?
With the utmost respe t
Have you done this to other type of opal specimens besides andamooka matrix, such as wood or other minerals opal?
What happens if you put the opal to acid without sugar treatment, will it enhance the play of colour?
@@PulitzerOpal thank you for sharing your precious knowledge, sorry for my bad english.
Can you use the Acid more than 1 time?
constant 3 days in sugar mixture with 170 celcius?
Is it commercially viable to do this in large scale? I mean, they look amazing to an untrained eye like mine. But if they have some value and finding the correct procedures would make this a potential business
From my understanding once treated u can get up to $600 a kilo ❤
Obrigado amigo pela ajuda me tire por favor so mas uma duvida a dureza e etc continua as mesmas ou muda as propriedades apos tratamento ?
Nenhuma das propriedades do material muda com o tratamento.
How hot should the sulfuric acid be
How would this work with Ethiopian opal?
You gotta smoke treat Ethiopian but that is a thing!
When can you rinse and touch them?
Thanks
How much it is worth?
What happens if you do this to a fire opal🤔
@@PulitzerOpal 💯💯
Can I try this on my Lighting Ridge opals? They're 6N but look so grey blah indoors although they look good in the sun.
No. Andamooka is porous and LR isn't. Won't work. I tried it on a piece of white coober pedy and nothing happened.
@@stevensstones Thanks Steven! I assumed as much but you saved me from the useless experimentation.
Muito bom!!! Thanks
Who invented this method ?
Can we use this treat to crystal opal sir?
@@PulitzerOpal yes i think so too,but can you give me a clue how to make my milky opal become black opal??
Gorgeous rough ! Is that the stuff you just bought from Murray ? If it is, I may have to get me some. The treatment came out really well ! Looks like a money maker ; ^ )
I also need to thank you for what you do here. You create interest in our art. That creates new artists. Lapidary is a dying art form in the West. People like you are changing that.
All you noobs out there, pay attention. He's giving out our trade secrets lol
@@PulitzerOpal twerking ? Oh my !
Don't forget to have your posse sprinkle glitter as you booty drop
Can I use AR grade..??
Fantastic, bravo , parabéns. Welington. Visual Pedras Preciosas. Brasil.
How can you tell treated opal? I brought a piece of black opal from auction and like to know.
thats what happens when you buy something you know nothing about lol your left with many questions
Do you know if it’s possible to grow Gilson-like opals at home?
Pulitzer Opal thank you so much. I’ve been making glass art, encasing Gilson opals in Molten hot glass. Extremely interested in the process of lab created opals and also trying to find cheaper opals for my art. I’d also just love to know as much as I possibly can about the stuff I’m working with. Thank you for the knowledge brotha. Have a great day.
Pulitzer Opal if you want to see the creations I’ve been making with opals, the #WookBeacon on my Instagram is what I’m talking about. GrizzGlass on IG. You can delete this comment if you want. But it would be cool to show someone like yourself what I’ve been up to. As you have the passion and love for opals that I do.
Where to byu this acid?
You can typically find the acid used for opal treatments at specialized lapidary supply stores or online lapidary equipment and supply websites. Be sure to follow safety precautions when handling acids, as they can be hazardous.
Where do you get your specimins?
Is there any chance you could do the same with etheopian opal?
Treating Ethiopian is a thing but it's usually smoke treated.
Hey there Don could you tell me what setting on the crockpot with acid?
@@PulitzerOpal we dont have a medium on it. But its set at what your oven is. Is that enough?
@@PulitzerOpal thank you. Its day 3 i turned up the heat. Hopefully we don't run out of acid. Is it normal for little spots like freckles to show up on the cabs. 😆 i feel like your my mentor. But at the same time i feel like a pain in the &#& 🤣🤣 THANK YOU for always answering Angie's and my questions. We truly appreciate it whole hearted. I had a idea for your channel. Maybe you could recap with some updated info from old video's. It might be a good idea. Like a kore in-depth scientific approach( not like you don't already) just a review on older vids. Maybe another quiz and depending on your followers answers make vids on those topics. Just a thought. Thanks again enjoy your day. 😃
Awesome. I hope to see a vid real soon. I have a question. Can you re-use the acid. Or is it a one and done thing. We need more acid to make them darker but they have every color in the rainbow. Your absolutely right. Andamooka Matrix opal is crazy fun 😃 ps people like quizzes if its on a subject they like. Not speaking school terms neither. But yeah i get your point. Later Donald thanks for the awesome tips and conversations.
👍👍👍👍share it
How long you keep the stone cooking withe sugar?!! Do you leave it cook slowly?!!!
Yeah but whats in the beaker in the slow cooker? The acid too? Or just water?
Pulitzer Opal thank you very much
I've had my opal in sugar solution on low for about 60 hours on low and it's very deep brown and thick caramelized. I want to leave it for in for another three days. Should I add a little bit of hot water to the beakers?
@@PulitzerOpal I added but I didn't have a lot of room left in the beaker. Maybe I should pour some out and add more water.
What would happen if I just changed the solution out?
@@PulitzerOpal thanks! You've been a great help! If you ever want a carving done let me know!
sir how can we convert(treated) ethiopian opal in black . please make video
Genius! Why sugar though? Why why why?
Can you treat labradorite this way?!
Pulitzer Opal That’d be awesome. I got it to flip by going to google and search for “text flipper” going to one of the links results and there’s a box you can enter any regular text and it can flip it and also reverse it upside down front to back and back to front and much more. Then you just copy the results and paste wherever you want to. In a form for your name on RUclips like I did or notepad, Facebook etc. I can’t wait to see the results on the lab but if you decide not to do it, no worries my friend.
How in the heck does that happen??? lol
🙏🙏👍👍👍🥰🥰
🤗😍
Surely fake?
Why does he sound depressed?
Pulitzer Opal I always wanted to be a redhead. You lucky dog you. I got stuck a blonde. Most of my family is redhead and only 3 of us blonde for all 3 generations. Always loved red hair.
will this work on Honduran black opal?
I sent mail
Found it
Frustrating!!! The key CORE final piece of information is missing!!!! I and other viewers are left to guess that you pour the sulphuric acid (and sugar??) into the basin of the slow cooker - but what I can't see from the youtube is whether you also pour any such mixture into the pyrex glass beaker with the stones in it??!!!!
Or I noticed that the pyrex glass beaker has holes in the bottom! So I guess you put your stones in tbe beaker & the sulphuric acid solution in the slow cooker basin with the beaker + stones in the middle - & the acid gets into thr beaker and covers the stones for 3 days at low heat??
Aaarrgggh!!!
Soak stones in solution of half sugar and half water. Heat in oven or slow cooker at 160° F for at least 2 days.
Remove stones from sugar water - don’t burn yourself! Wipe off the stones, but don’t wash them. Put the stones into the bowl of the slow cooker, then pour in concentrated sulfuric acid to cover the stones. Put slow cooker on high (medium or high will work). Depending on the matrix, it may take as few as 4-6 hours. If you pick a stone up and it’s black, treatment is done. If less than black, leave stones in for 2 more days.
Use heavy gloves and clothing protection AND eye and face protection (you really need a respirator rated for acid.
The beaker is helpful- makes it easy to lift the stones and look at them without struggling to find them in hot acid. I drilled holes in the Pyrex beaker. Don’t waste your time. Most plastics are acid resistant - get one that fits in the slow cooker and punch holes in it with… something pointy!
I made that video 5 or more years ago, so excuse the poor presentation. Watch a few of my recent videos … and relax.
Remember the safety equipment. You might want to watch a RUclips video about how to handle hot concentrated acid. (Really). (I had a bunch of chemistry lab classes in college). Be CAREFUL. dp
160-180°F. I need to do an update on this video.
People shouldn't do this to stones :(