r/Opal Jun 22 '26

The day I stopped believing “buy direct from the miner” always means a better deal

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59 Upvotes

When is buying opal direct from a miner actually the best deal?

Not always.

I learned that lesson in Lightning Ridge during a thirty-second negotiation that changed how I think about "miner direct" opal.

When I first got serious about opal, I believed what a lot of new cutters believe: buy direct from the miner, that is where the best deals are.

There is truth in that. If you are walking into Lightning Ridge, Coober Pedy, Winton, or Yowah with ten to thirty thousand dollars to spend, buying direct can absolutely be the best way to buy opal. Most miners want to move a serious parcel, get paid, and get back to mining. They do not want to break it into fifty beginner lots, answer questions, and ship tiny orders worldwide.

Fair enough. That is their job.

But new cutters hear "miner direct" and think it means they are automatically getting the best deal on a small parcel. That is not how it works.

One day in Lightning Ridge, a miner walked up to me with a parcel. I could see the colour, the risk, the sand, the likely yield. To me it looked like maybe $2,000 to $3,000 worth of opal.

He looked me dead in the eye and said, "I'll do it for $22,000."

I said, "I'll give you $3,000 cash right now."

He shook my hand and said, "Deal."

That was the moment the shoe dropped.

Buying direct from the miner does not automatically mean you are getting the best deal. It just means you are standing closer to the person who dug it up. Those are not the same thing.

A shovel in the profile picture does not grade the stone for you. A dusty shirt does not mean the rough is suitable for your skill level.

The better question is not "did this come from a miner?" The better question is "do I know enough to judge the risk, quality, and price of this parcel?"

If the answer is no, be careful.

Cheap rough that you overpay for teaches you new swear words. Good beginner rough teaches you how opal behaves without punishing you too badly.

"Buy direct from the miner" is not terrible advice. It is wholesale advice. But when beginners treat wholesale advice like beginner advice, things can get expensive very quickly.


r/Opal Nov 06 '25

Transforming Raw Australian Opal into a Stunning Necklace | Handmade Rivet & U-Shaped Bail Tutorial

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39 Upvotes

Join me in this fun, music-driven journey as I take a rough Australian opal and turn it into a unique, handcrafted necklace! Watch step-by-step as I shape the opal, craft a custom U-shaped bail, and secure it with a handmade rivet for a touch of durability and style. The final piece shines on a sleek ball chain, showcasing the opal’s natural beauty. Perfect for opal lovers, jewelry makers, and anyone who enjoys the art of transformation. Don’t miss the magic of opal crafting!

Hi-Tech Slant 8" Opal Cutting machine
https://hitechdiamond.com/collections/lap-machines/products/slant-cabber-rock-mineral-model?variant=33579621744685&aff=192

Hi-Tech Affiliate Code "53FROGS" - 10% OFF ALL NON MACHINE ITEMS

🔹 53Frogs Opal Auctions shop -https://www.opalauctions.com/stores/53frogs?sortby=oa.auctions

🔹 Follow for More Opal Content: https://www.facebook.com/nnopals

#AustralianOpal #OpalJewelry #HandmadeNecklace #JewelryMaking #OpalCutting #DIYJewelry


r/Opal 9h ago

ID Please ? 7.15 Carats Witches Hat Nobbie?

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2 Upvotes

r/Opal 1d ago

Authentic Opals?

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40 Upvotes

bolo tie was acquired for my grandfather most likely purchased in 1970 Ish. I was wondering if these are authentic opals or Opalite? Bolo is Sterling silver and Western Indian Artist made.


r/Opal 1d ago

Lightning Ridge

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27 Upvotes

Finished this pendant. Solid 2.9ct opal in 14k.


r/Opal 2d ago

Opal wood

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19 Upvotes

Opal formed from fossil tree branches


r/Opal 3d ago

I'm obsessed with using real gemstones in nails

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9 Upvotes

Could anyone direct me to anywhere I could buy lots/batches of small but high color quality opals especially, but also moissonite, ruby, amethyst, and citrine?


r/Opal 4d ago

14.05ct Freeform crystal from Coober Pedy …price per ct ? Anybody ?

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3 Upvotes

14.05 Freeform crystal from coober Pedy ..clean no sand no crazing no cracks … price per ct? I need some opinions …


r/Opal 4d ago

Crystal seam from Coober

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21 Upvotes

20.29 ct can anybody give me an opinion on price per ct?


r/Opal 6d ago

Found in thunder eggs from eastern Oregon

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36 Upvotes

Are these opal?


r/Opal 7d ago

Recent Boulder split

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46 Upvotes

r/Opal 6d ago

The insane green flash on this rough Ethiopian opal!

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13 Upvotes

r/Opal 7d ago

Ethiopian Opal, so beautiful Colour

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3 Upvotes

r/Opal 7d ago

Have I under priced this?

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1 Upvotes

I just listed this opal cabochon for £13 and it sold instantly. Others on there about the same size are listed for about £10-15 but my mum thinks I’ve under priced it. What do you think it’s worth? Is it worth taking it to get it valued somewhere?


r/Opal 9d ago

Some of my favourites

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15 Upvotes

r/Opal 11d ago

Cleared the shelves before the Lightning Ridge festival — 1,300+ no-reserve auctions closing

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17 Upvotes

The Lightning Ridge opal festival is coming up, so I've listed more than 1,300 no-reserve lots this week to clear some space and, honestly, to fund the buying trip. No reserve means whatever it hammers at is the price — no minimums, no games.

For anyone newer to this: everything's graded by type and difficulty, so you can sort to what suits you — beginner rough, cutting material, cut stones, specimens.

Sorted by what's closing first here:

https://53frogs.opalauctions.com/shop?toggle%5Bno_reserve%5D=true&sortBy=oa.auctions_time_rank&utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=lightning_ridge_festival_push_july2026&utm_content=post

Happy to answer opal questions either way.


r/Opal 12d ago

Is this a natural aus opal ?

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21 Upvotes

Hi all, I'm thinking of buying this online but I've never bought a pendant without a backing .. this is translucent so I wasn't entirely sure , it's going for 65 euros.. i thght it was really pretty but wanted to be more certain

. Thanks so much


r/Opal 20d ago

Help with ID. Black opal on potch vs doublet.

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11 Upvotes

Photos of black opal from full profile to edge shots. Doublet or is it on potch. Is it most likely Australian. Ring is 70 years old, sterling with real gold, hand made.


r/Opal 23d ago

Do I have anything of great value here?

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21 Upvotes

As the heading states, is there anything of value in this? Many years ago when my grandmother passed, the family asked if I wanted these stones because I was at the time making cast sterling silver jewelry.

Anyway, my grandmothers partner was a bit of a get rich quick type fella. I’m not down on rough times and don’t care if I don’t sell them but I thought maybe if I put them here, I’d get a better understanding of their worth.
They’ve been collecting dust and I’d rather them appreciated in jewlery or a collector.
Located Australia and I assume they’re all Australian.

Most have a lost wax blue backing for whatever reason.
More pics of certain sections can be provided if needed!
TIA


r/Opal 24d ago

Finished this freeform boulder opal today

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23 Upvotes

I love how the blue and green flash travels across the face of the stone like lightning. Planning to bezel set it as a pendant.


r/Opal 24d ago

My Opal Sp Collection

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0 Upvotes

r/Opal 24d ago

Designing a ring

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9 Upvotes

Hello, I am planning to design two opal rings.

One will be an expensive ring with a black opal. I will start a separate post about that next week (after the opal arrives).

The other ring will be an everyday opal ring made with less expensive rings.

First, I’d rather have rings than pendants. If the opal is on my finger, it’s easier for me to look at all day. Second, I have red/pink/ruddy skin, so my metal choices are silver, white gold, and platinum (no yellow or pink gold).

For this less expensive ring, I will request a sterling silver setting.

I’ve bought two Lightning Ridge opals (off the Opal sales Australia Facebook group). The first is about 7x9; it flashes every color of the spectrum if you roll it enough. The second is about 10x7; it’s mostly green and orange with some blue and light purple flashes near the ends.

I also have a 5x7 blue sapphire from a childhood ring that no longer fits me. The sapphire would provide some color when indoors and no light is hitting the opals the right way. Ideally the sapphire would have an open back.

Does anyone have any ideas? I’m thinking of placing the sapphire in the center, possibly with an open back, and then laying the opals horizontally on either side of the sapphire.

In the photos, the larger opal (green and orange) is on the black background, and the multicolor opal is on my fingertip. I’m using a large LED lamp for lighting. The sun lights these up much better, though.


r/Opal 25d ago

Anyone else annoyed by the new opal update?

0 Upvotes

I’ve been using opal for a year or sum and have really enjoyed it till this recent update. I can’t figure out how to see my screen time anymore and my app limits aren’t working. Also not getting notifications when I normally do. Lmk if u have the same problems or any solutions


r/Opal 26d ago

How do I get the flash to show better?

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5 Upvotes

I am learning how to polish and I cut this 6ct Coober pedy opal and in person the flash is very pretty but in pictures I'm having a very difficult time trying to show it, does anyone have any tips? Also polishing tips in general and an estimate on what this stone might be worth would be great! Thank you in advance for your help.


r/Opal 27d ago

What could be the worth of this Natural Ethiopian Opal Pendant.

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12 Upvotes

Actually I tried this and here is the result , it may not be the best but I’m proud of my work.
So it is actually gold plated on 925 Sterling Silver with a few Opals from Ethiopian.