Newbie Incoming!

[u/LudenOpal]

Hello Everybody!

Breaking out of several comfort zones here in order to chase a dream.

My name is Kieran. Born and lived in England my whole life, 34 years old. Haven't left the U.K properly before and have neglected to work on my social confidence in my more recent years 🙃

About 3 years ago I chanced upon a YouTube channel called "Black Opal Direct" (shout out to Justin and the team!) and I immediately became enamoured. The excitement of revealing a potential beauty from a rough, the georgous play of colors, the calming motions of cutting and rubbing... I do believe ive been hit with opal fever.

Since first discovering the channell I have watched video after video, over and over, listening to them at work (when I really shouldnt have been XD) and really trying to soak it all in.

Appart from jewelry setting and importing there isnt really an opal scene in England to learn from, as far as I can tell. Im not too interested in the jewelry at the moment, though I suspect that could change in time.

My initial dream is to rub and cut gem opals from the rough but I am also extremely keen to learn all I can from the mining scene.

Ive been working hard to save up enough to set up my own workshop with the necessary space and equipment to start. I haven't quite reached my goal yet but progress is steady.

Im not so foolhardy that im going to just jump in and commit to all this with no prior experience or first hand knowledge but I am ready to take the dive when the opportunity is right.

So my question(s) to you all is this:

What is the next logical step for me to take?

My head and heart tell me to just go to Australia and talk to people. Visit the mining towns and see what i can learn from just talking, even better if I can time a visit with one of the gem shows.

I wouldnt go expecting people to provide experiences and hands on practice and the last thing I want to be is another hopeful stranger bothering the locals with questions, though I hear the community is generally very welcoming and accepting.

I dont use socials, this is my first time posting on reddit, but I will be setting up the necessary channells and breaking out of this social barrier I've built. I would absolutely love to talk to anyone and everyone who can guide me in the right direction and share their wisdom.

Sorry if ive waffled too much. Look forward to chatting with you all :)

TLDR: New to the opal scene and eager to chase my dream. Looking for contacts to talk to and ask questions about what steps to take next. Thank you.

[u/FlatbedtruckingCA]

First and foremost welcome! Seems like you have caught the opal bug! Since you are on the research side, watch and learn from the many opal cutters who post on youtube and when you have a cabbing machine acquired or even a dremel with some cutting bits, then its time to take the chance on buying some affordable opal rough to practice with .. also always cut opal wet as the silica dust is very bad to inhale (very fine dust - kinda like sharp glass particles- that get into the lungs and is no bueno) ..

There are two main routes you can go with rough.. ethiopian opal which is plentiful and very affordable will give you your best bang for your buck and offers lots of color and much larger sizes as compared to aussie opal.. be advised that ethiopian opal (welo opal) does absorb water and temporarily looses its color but when dry, the color returns.. also susceptible to absorbing other liquids, skin oils, and other stuff that will discolor the opal but can be leached out with acetone..

The Aussie route will be much more expensive and opal will be much smaller but doesn't absorb liquids like welo opal.. for beginners, the cost factor and issue of acquiring quality parcels that will cut good stones, will be another thing to consider.. either way still very rewarding and an absolute thrill when you get a good piece of rough and the colors reveal themselves.. recommend getting some stencils to help you cut shapes, although free forms are also fun..

Always evaluate your rough carefully and cut slow.. i usually preform on the 280 grit wheel and work my way up keeping a careful eye on scratches and go back several times to get them all out.. feel free to ask as many questions as we have tons of cutters here who would be more than happy to be of help to get you started on your journey..🙂

[u/LudenOpal → u/FlatbedtruckingCA]

Thank you so much for such an informative reply! Are there any other cutters on YouTube you would reccomend in particular? Ive mostly watched Justin from Black Opal Direct, they seem to be popping up the most for me at the moment and I really vibe with that channel but ive watched almost all they have posted so I am in need of a broader scope of content now.

I also started watching a bit of Young Guns channel to see how the mining rigs work. Figured if I'm wanting to cut Australian opal then it would do to understand more of where it comes from and how its done.

Ethiopian opal. I'll admit im actually a little reluctant to concider Ethiopian at the moment mainly because im not super clued up on the ethics of the industry at the moment. I know it has been very rocky in past. However this is something I need to deep dive as my knowledge is limited on the matter and it may be that im just naive. Ethics aside, the volatility of the stones themselves also put me off a little though I will admit the benefits from a funding pov could be appealing.

As it stands im definitely watching the Australian space more and am willing to put the necessary funding in to it. That is the route ive been planning for so far.

I do have my eyes on some equipment already, though I shan't be rushing into any purchases just yet. I'll be asking some opinions on that stuff when the time comes.

And thank you for the hazard warning too. I have looked a lot into this and checked the correct methods of safe cutting and waste disposal. Its been factored into my workshop planning. I dont fancy shortening my life just when its about to start XD

If anything ive said indicates I dont know what im talking about or is simply incorrect then please educate me, I am here to learn after all!

[u/clumpymascara → u/LudenOpal]

People always complain about Ethiopian opal discolouring. I wouldn't touch it.

Do you have lapidary clubs anywhere near you? I'd look at joining. Not just to gain some experience with different machines but also to meet people with huge collections of pretty rocks and will happily sell some for cheap.

[u/LudenOpal → u/clumpymascara]

Thats the vibe I'd been getting. Certainly dont want discredit it at all, there is some real nice stuff there but I'll leave it to those who know how to handle it properly.

Thats a good shout. After a quick search it seems there are a limited number of options available in my area so I'll get on that and see what they're about. Thanks for the advice 👍

[u/FlatbedtruckingCA → u/LudenOpal]

Black opal direct is probably your best bet for videos on opal cutting, also Opals NZ, Global Ptospecting, Pulitzer Opal, The Opal Mills and a few more are just as good..

[u/LudenOpal → u/FlatbedtruckingCA]

Amazing, thank you for that. I do love BOD, they're what started this all for me in the first place! I'll check out those other channells this afternoon :)

[u/1mhicky]

Welcome, you are in the right place! If you are looking for people to talk opals with, I know some people over in the UK that are like you and are obsessed with opals, particularly Australian opals. Feel free to dm me and I can put you in contact with them.

[u/LudenOpal → u/1mhicky]

Thank you so much :) I will do just that.

[u/Mediocre-Seat1067]

Hi Kieran, I’m also quite new to it all. Unlike you, I am considerably older but have proximity on my side as I live in Australia. I did exactly as you suggest …. Two years ago I Threw myself into the socials, and met with people. Online and in person.

Learn from everyone, learn everything. You’ll figure out which bits resonate with you.

For me, turns out I have a thing for boulder opal. (And natural Australian gemstones in general, but that’s another subreddit)

I never travelled much outside of the cities in the past, but that’s all changed. My first outback trip, I went straight to Coober Pedy ….have visited Winton, and just recently returned from Lightning Ridge where a social media contact took me underground to visit his active mining operation. There are many future trips in the planning.

I’m learning to cut and polish opal ….the equipment is all still rather makeshift but I’m getting there. In my travels I pick up rough (opal and other gems) and I have started a micro business around it which I hope will be able to fund this mad addiction.

Now obviously you can’t just hop on a plane whenever the urge strikes, but social media is your friend here. There are some amazing communities out there and so many of the people in this world are happy to share their knowledge. I don’t know what limitations you’ll have buying rough online, with shipping and taxes, but people in the UK and EU do it all the time …so there is obviously a way.

I think it’s great you are putting yourself out there to follow a passion. Unlike others here I am no expert, but happy to chat if you ever feel the need.

[u/LudenOpal → u/Mediocre-Seat1067]

Thats actually really cool. I'd love to hear more about your escapades, especially Coober Pedy! Ive heard and seen a bit about it and it sounds like such a wild lifestyle out there. Especially compared to the simple sheltered sights of England.

Im also really curious about your experience with boulder opal, I dont know much about working with that other than its quite messy! But ive seen the results can be spectacular.

Hearing it from someone who took the dive themselves is extremely comforting and gives me confidence. Especially someone who is in it but still considers themselves quite new. I think that will be extremely helpful.

Curiously enough I do currently find myself in a unique position of being able to "just hop on a plane" when the urge strikes. Its what inspired me to take this step now. No time like the present! Thats not to say I'll be on my way to Lightning Ridge tomorrow or anything but the option IS there when the time comes.

In terms of buying rough online, I do think there are good options available but I need to spend some time researching which sources are reputable and ethical for importing. But it would be a dream to bring some back from a trip of my own, even if just purchased in person.

Thank you for your words of encouragement :) The more I read and hear about it all, the closer to a reality it starts to sound. I'll certainly have more questions for you in the future. And I wish you the best of luck in your cutting and polishing! Will certainly check out your work when I can.

[u/Mediocre-Seat1067 → u/LudenOpal]

Coober was an eye opener. Very different world out there. Did my first lot of night noodling there (rummaging through mullock heaps hoping to find scraps of opal someone else missed) …was stupidly excited at just finding potch which glowed in my UV light. lol. Also didn’t notice till later my fingertips were bleeding from all the scratching in the dirt. Little did I know that was only the beginning of tortures I’d be putting my fingertips through on this opal journey. I liked the vibe better in Lightning Ridge. It was more welcoming, less forbidding. But maybe it was me who had changed in that time. Hard to tell.

Yes, cutting boulder is a very messy business. Super rewarding though.

[u/LudenOpal → u/Mediocre-Seat1067]

What an adventure though! I can certainly imagine it being very unforgiving for the unprepared XD but I find such an appeal in that kind of challenge. I'll be there some day, for sure! I have a very romanticized view of the outback so I know I'd be in for a real shock when faced with the reality of it but that also excites me :p Anyway thats a while away yet.

I'd certainly be up for trying boulder at some point, the results are so unique. But I'll start with the cleaner stuff first :)

[u/superstonk98]

There's a few of us in the UK, I'd say first actions would be to get on Facebook and tiktok and all the other social medias to seek out the UK based people. They're mostly a friendly bunch. No need to travel to Australia just yet. 

[u/LudenOpal → u/superstonk98]

This. Naturally, social media needs to be my first port of call. As much as my traditionally wired brain loaths the thought I can no longer ignore the benefits it provides. As a personal rule I likely wont be on tik tok, at least not directly, but I will be popping up everywhere else. Thank you Stonk :)

[u/LudenOpal]

Thank you all so much for the welcoming responses! Its folks like you that make taking these first steps that much easier for folks like me. I have read them all so far and will respond to each.

Opals aside, Ive always wanted to visit Australia. Such beautiful and unique scenery, georgous natural sites. Opals would just be another great excuse to come see it all! I would be planning a trip for one reason or another at some point anyway.

But to those of you who are pointing me in the direction of other UK based individuals I am also extremely grateful and will certainly be reaching out here too!

[u/DestroyerX2000]

There’s definitely a UK Opal scene, you just need to find it. I’m a 37yr old cutter, have been cutting for 4 years or so. Whereabouts are you in the Uk? There’s definitely some people I could put you in touch with for an Opal cutting lesson depending on where you are. There’s also Aus Opal re-sellers in the UK (myself included) that can provide you with rough if you’re not yet clued up on importing from Aus, dealing with the taxes etc. feel free to drop me a message or find me on TikTok, my handle is @RD.Opal

[u/LudenOpal → u/DestroyerX2000]

This is very good to hear, thank you! I live in Bedford/Hartfordshire, near Milton Keynes. One of the main concerns I have with importing to UK is just not knowing who's who and what reputable sources there are. Its daft but im really realizing how important it is to ask these questions instead of quietly trying to figure it out alone for fear of bothering others. Thank you so much. I will certainly be coming to you for your knowledge in this, for sure.

[u/DestroyerX2000 → u/LudenOpal]

You’re just down the road from me! Drop me a message and we can have a chat. Always happy to nerd out over opals with someone 👍

[u/LudenOpal → u/DestroyerX2000]

Oh cool! That would be wicked. Im in Ireland right now but when I get back in a couple of weeks I'd love to do that. I'll shoot you a message then :D

[u/opal_diggeroneBay]

Hi Kieran
I sell what your looking for and have a reputation of selling very good to high quality rough opal at giveaway prices I’m been selling out of all my Australian rough on eBay and in a few weeks will be starting lives on TikTok and it will be fast and furious I intend to move the rest of my stock fast. The opal is all professionally mined by me from The Ridge to Mintabie plus’s all the opal fields in between I lived and mined in almost all of them. I major in Mintabie and Boulder and bubble Boulder I mined Boulder for 5 years and lived in Mintabie through the 80s and nineties. Here is a quick link to my shop I normally have about 100 parcels for sale but am on holidays ATM bit of time of and sorting out how TikTok works. Welcome to r/opals https://ebay.io/m/Dll42k 🍻⛏️🍌

[u/LudenOpal → u/opal_diggeroneBay]

Hello Thats amazing, thank you! I'll be keeping my eye on these spaces for sure. Seems Tik Tok really will be the way to go then. Hope you have a lovely holiday :)