There’s nothing like diving back into opal cutting with a challenge—and this 786 carat rough opal certainly delivers. Justin returns from a well-earned break and heads straight to the wheel, taking on one of the largest pieces of rough we’ve seen in a long time. Bought as part of a $25,000 parcel, this enormous gemstone is filled with potential, risk, and a whole lot of sandstone. The kind miners once called “shin cracker”—because it’s just that unforgiving. Join us as we dive headfirst into this monster piece of rough opal.
Cutting Into The Unknown
This isn’t your average opal. With color bars hidden beneath tough, gritty layers, Justin has to rely on years of experience and instinct. He’s seen opal like this before—30 years ago, in fact—when buying with his dad. That memory, paired with a strong gut feeling, drives his decision to go all in. As the shaping begins, there’s excitement when the potch turns black. But opal cutting is never straightforward. Despite careful shaping followed by some strategic slicing, the color just doesn’t hold up for gemstones. The verdict? Cut no further. Leave the piece whole and let it shine as it is.
A Beautiful Surprise in Free Form
In the end, the 786 carat rough opal didn’t yield traditional cut gems—but what it did give us was just as special. Two stunning free forms with inky black base tone and soft washes of color with flashes of brilliance. They’re a perfect reminder that not every opal cutting journey leads to perfectly cut gemstones. Sometimes, the opal speaks for itself, and this time, it’s telling a story millions of years in the making.
Would you have kept slicing or stopped where we did? Let us know in the comments, and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more behind-the-wheel adventures.
should have carved the whole thing
I would have carved the whole thing