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 had a hunch it could be worth thousands. As any experienced opal cutter knows, you never truly know what’s inside until you start working on it. So, I decided to take the plunge, grinding, slicing, and polishing my way into the stone to uncover its hidden beauty. My 35 years of experience told me this could be something special, so I set out to prove it.
The Opal Cutting Process
As I began, I noticed the color bar was clean inside, which gave me hope. However, some deep sand spots needed risky exploratory work. I started by slicing off a bit of the potch, revealing a nice color sitting right on the bottom. The pattern was promising, but I had to remove the top layer filled with sand to get to the real gem beneath.
Each pass on the wheel brought more of the opal’s vibrant colors to life, but it was a nerve-wracking process. The deeper I went, the better the color got, which made it all the more thrilling. Eventually, I reached the second color bar, and it paid off—this stone had magnificent color and pattern. I decided to cut a beautiful cushion shape, perfect for a large ring, and the results were nothing short of spectacular.
Unveiling the Black Opal Treasure
In the end, my hunch was right. The 50-carat uncut gem revealed itself as a stunning opal, worth an estimated $6,000 for the main stone, with additional smaller gems adding to the total value. The cushion cut was particularly beautiful, with a bright purple and blue play of color that exceeded my expectations. Opal cutting is more than just a job; it’s a passion that lets me unleash creativity and discover hidden treasures. I’m thrilled with how this gem turned out and can’t wait to see what the next one will reveal.
Stay tuned for more opal-cutting adventures—there’s always something new to discover!
Spoiler Alert
