Smashing gemstones with a mallet!
As a kid, I thought that diamonds were the hardest thing in the world. Having the typical tyrannical tendencies that young boys have, all I … Read more
Polishing 2.2kgs (5 pounds) of Andamooka opal
My biggest challenge ever doesn’t seem to be getting any easier! This massive chunk of Andamooka opal is the opal that finally beat me. I … Read more
The transformation of this half rough opal!
Millions of years ago, on the border of an ancient inland sea, a gem was born. This is the tale of the half rough opal… … Read more
The value of this gem went through the roof!
Do you like surprises? I do. Well, good ones, that is. Let’s cut a beautiful black crystal opal from a gorgeous ocean blue opal nobby! … Read more
The dream opal comes true!
Some days at the cutting machine are good and others are mediocre. Then there are days like this. Watch me get caught off guard while … Read more
My biggest challenge ever! A massive chunk of Andamooka opal
What do you get when you cross a huge piece of Andamooka opal and a lot of very hard quartz? My biggest challenge ever! (literally!) … Read more
From rough to riches! Cutting, polishing, and valuing an opal
Sometimes all you want to do is watch some therapeutic opal cutting without some dude talking the whole time. Well, today’s your lucky day! We’ve … Read more
What is an Opal Doublet and how can I tell?
How can you tell whether an opal is a doublet or completely natural? There are a lot of opal and opal jewelry sellers out there, … Read more
Workshop tour! What’s in my opal cutting workshop?
What do you need to start cutting opal? Join us this week as Justin takes us on an opal cutting workshop tour! We get asked … Read more
What is black opal worth? The body tone myth exposed
Are all black opals created equal? What is black opal worth? Are the darkest black opals worth more? Should I only buy N1 black opals? … Read more
Win this dark crystal opal!
*** COMPETITION NOW CLOSED *** Congratulations to the winner, we hope you love your opal! Thank you, everyone, for all of your beautiful entries. October … Read more
Cutting and pricing $30K of black opal
Cutting and pricing black opal can be a tricky task, it’s no wonder that it’s one of the most common questions we get! How do … Read more
