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, I’m flying blind. The risk of buying opal from a mystery field is always high, but that’s part of the adventure. With my gemfish flashlight in hand, I notice some inclusions but decide to take the plunge and see what lies beneath.
Facing the Unexpected
As I begin cutting, things quickly take a turn for the worse. A natural crack in the stone forces me to slice it into two pieces, changing my initial plan. I start working on both halves, and one side initially shows potential. However, as I grind away the lighter potch, I realise I’ve made a critical error. The black potch—crucial for creating a backing for a high-quality black opal—is now too thin to use. In my rush to uncover the gem, I’ve compromised the very thing that could have made this opal extraordinary. Now, I’m left committed to following through with the stone as it is, knowing it won’t reach the level of beauty or value I had hoped for. It’s a frustrating realization, but part of the process when cutting opal is accepting the unexpected.
Lessons Learned
Every time I jump on the wheel is an Opal cutting challenge, and today the result was not what I anticipated. Instead of revealing a stunning black opal, I’m left with a dark opal worth far less. This piece didn’t live up to its potential, but that’s the nature of opal cutting. Each stone is unique, and you can’t win every time. Still, every mistake I make teaches me something new. These lessons are just as valuable as the gems themselves, helping me refine my skills for the next piece. Opal cutting is as much about the journey as the outcome, and with each cut, I’m getting closer to mastering the craft—one gem at a time.
Prepare to be underwhelmed…
