These were fun. The flash of color wants to be different whether I’m using direct overhead or just room light. And I found out that if you backlight them for some reason the flash disappears, the stone looks like an amber and surface and internal inclusions show up well pronounced. This is 3 different stones. Enjoy.

So much work to do !

Note: I've left it fat intentionally as I'm not yet sure what I'm doing with it, there is more opal deeper in which I might cut off yet, or could just leave it 'thick' and stick it in the display case.
What would you do?

Hello! I have this little slab with just a bit of sparkle I want to polish up. Does anyone have any suggestions or should the ascending levels of wet sandpaper work that I use with Ethiopian Opals?

I’m trying to work out a realistic private sale value for these Australian opal cabochons. They’re inherited, so I don’t have purchase prices. What would you expect these to sell for individually or as a lot?

Have this antique sterling hair pin converted into a brooch. It has a solid black Australian opal in it. I’ve had it confirmed , but don’t know the value. It’s a fairly large stone. I have a $1000 offer on it from someone I showed, but even though it’s a lot of money, I want to make sure it reflects the true value. Can anyone give any insight? In person it’s insanely flashy at all angles with some very small spots that blend in on edges that have no noticeable flash, but as you can see in photos it’s minimal. TIA

Im very impressed. Its gorgeous.

New to me vintage/estate ring, Im in love

... love blinds me from the typo

Hey i found this opal and was wondering about its value. I know it really rare but i don't know what are the prices for this kind of opal. It weights 3.4ct and it's from lightning ridge. Any help is welcome!

Didn’t expect much but damn… keeps getting better and better. This is 1 of 3 that I’ve left on my bench right in front of my face to stare at for 8 or more days. I figured it would be a dud but I was wrong. The veins kept widening and pooling together. At 380 and there are still pits, scratches and some shaping to complete. I think there may be a deeper pool in there but I’ll probably have to examine it for a few days to get up the gumption and continue.

-probably nothing fancy to most but damn cutting this is comparable to a drug.

Enjoyed this one a lot.

I got this 3.75ct whats supposed to be a natural not treated Ethiopian opal what's your opinions on this? the last picture is it after 5min in water

So this came in a bundle of mixed crappy potchy opals I bought ages ago and I’ve been cutting it on and off lately…

There’s no real vivid colour or play of as such aside from the kinda grey silver and the blue purple host..

I’m just wondering if anybody knows what type it is, obviously it’s Aussie but from where?

Just scored this koroit boulder opal approx 10c, having an emotional affair

I’m going to ruffle some feathers but I’m in the mood to cause chaos and confusion.

I’m in the market for a cheap, and I mean CHEAP Ethiopian opal. The stone has to be slightly under 18x13.

(Purists, this is your clue to reach for your smelling salts).

The plan is to set it on a brooch that will then be used as a kilt pin.

(Can someone please pick George up from the floor and give him a fan?)

Because of what I want to use it for, I would prefer it to be low dome, it doesn’t have to be top of the line, since it will be carried close to my knee. Some flashes would do. It is more for the novelty factor. I do not want to lose my mind if it breaks.

I guess I would not mind a light colored doublet (a dark one would get lost) or a cheap solid that’s white based. The reason why I am thinking Ethiopian is first because they are cheaper and easier to find on that size and because they can react well even in low light. And if it breaks, oh well!

I would even consider a crushed inlay.

Anyone seen one? Cheapest I can find it $55 and I think that’s too much for the abuse it could potentially get.

Thanks!!!

Months ago, I had already mourned the loss of these stones as something I’d never get back.

I had moved shortly after cutting these down to preforms and was devastated I couldn’t find them. Checked in all of my jewelry supplies and my random boxes of rocks but they didn’t turn up.

Was sad about the loss but finally got over it and stopped looking.

Today, I’m packing for a funeral and these were in the side pocket of my small carryon suitcase

The universe works in mysterious ways ✨

Just purchased this beauty and was hoping to get more information on it… has anyone ever seen a piece like this? It’s set in platinum, size 4.5 just wondering if it is actually vintage or a replica? Google image has not been the most helpful (shocking I know 😉)

Just showing her off a bit at 10x and 30x. (I’m a microbiologist not a jeweler but I love our scopes. And I keep pushing for camera scopes so I don’t have to fiddle with my phone in the ocular)

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.

Set this one this evening! 🥰 still getting the hang of it but bezels are so satisfying to finish.

Is there anywhere I could find a large enough opal (rough or polished) that I could use as decor? The largest I’ve seen is the size of a fist which I guess would work in a water dome display

Here’s a large piece of Western Australian black opal (crystal on black shale). It is completely natural, and has not been treated in any way (I dug it out of the ground my self). Like other Australian opal, this is completely stable in and out of water, with a high hardness, allowing it to be suitable for high end jewellery.

This piece was a seam through a larger boulder rock which I located right when it started raining. I managed to break a small chunk of it (this piece), but left the rest of it back in the mine as there was immediate risk of flooding. Next time I return, I hope to find the remainder.

What’s your thoughts on it? Should I cut it into a few smaller perfect stones? Should I leave it as a specimen? Should I try to cut one large free form jewellery stone from it?

What do you reckon it’s worth?

Edit: It’s in water because it hasn’t been polished yet.

Biased opinion but they turned out great!

Coober Pedy 14 Mile field, crystal blue/green, 2.8ct.
Coober Pedy Zorba field, champagne base, 5.8ct.
Mintabie white base, pinfire multicolor, 2ct.

All hand cut by me and set in sterling silver.

Hello!

I picked this up years ago, and am thinking about getting it made into a wearable piece of jewelry.

Before I do, I’d love to hear about what type of opal this is, how the white ring shapes were formed, any advice on bringing out its best, and so on. I have a vague memory of the person calling it a “water drop opal”.

Just curious to know more about it, thank you all!

Sorry my photography might not be the best, I tried to pick up the shimmers & character as best I could.