Sandy Seam Opal
In this video, I’m working with a rough piece of sandy seam opal from Lightning Ridge, full of sand and inclusions. It doesn’t look promising, … Read more
Unexpected Twists of Opal Cutting
Expectation vs. Reality — The Unexpected Twists of Opal Cutting.In this video, I take on a 74-carat piece of opal that’s full of potential, but … Read more
Opal Cutting Challenge
In this week’s opal-cutting challenge, I take on a piece of seam opal from an unknown field. Without any clues about how it will cut, … Read more
Black Opal Treasure
In this video, I embark on the quest to uncover a hidden Black Opal Treasure within what appears to be an ordinary 50-carat uncut gem.I … Read more
I See Red Opal
Let’s rewind a bit from the part where I see red opal.My son Saxon came to me with some rough nobby opals and asked if … Read more
The Australian Opal Centre
In a recent instalment of Black Opal Direct, we had the pleasure of interviewing Jenni Brammall, one of the driving forces behind the Australian Opal … Read more
Father-Son Opal Cutting
There isn’t a week that goes by without a memorable cutting session, but this one was particularly special as it’s a father-son opal cutting session. … Read more
Opal Miner’s Gem Cut
When my two opal miner friends said they had “the best nobby opal we have ever mined,” my curiosity was immediately piqued. They were unsure … Read more
166ct Rough Opal
I have been putting off cutting this piece of 166ct rough opal.The approach to a piece this large takes a little more patience and brainpower, … Read more
A Risky Opal Cut
There isn’t a week that goes by without me performing a risky opal cut.The risk of the unknown can be daunting with every new piece … Read more
Andy’s Custom Opal Ring
An incredible black opal deserves an even more extraordinary jewelry setting, and that is exactly what we achieved with Andy’s custom opal ring.An old piece of Lightning … Read more
