What does 2016 hold?
A quick thank you for all your support throughout the year. For watching my videos, commenting on social media and on my blog. It is so … Read more
Which opal is the impostor?
How can I tell if an opal is lab created, treated or fake opal? I get many enquiries with people asking me this question and … Read more
Tucson Gem Festival 2016: Book now!
We will be in Tucson, Arizona for the annual Gem Festival from Monday Feb 1 – Saturday Feb 7, 2016 Christmas is around the corner … Read more
Types of Opal
Here lays a guide to the different types of opal that can be found. To understand the true value of opal, you first need to … Read more
What you need to know about the Tucson Gem Shows
Last year after a break of many years Justin and I travelled back to sunny Tucson for the annual Tucson Gem Shows that take over the … Read more
Baroque Opals
(a.k.a. anything but ovals and rounds!) As you’ve probably guessed we are big fans of simple ovals and rounds. Opal just seems to show its … Read more
Hand polishing an opal: Can it really be done?
Is it easy to do and how long does it take? Justin shows you how to hand polish an opal.. Recently I bought to you … Read more
2015 Lightning Ridge Opal Festival and Jewellery Design Awards IOJDAA 2015
The 2015 Lightning Ridge Opal Festival was a great success with many sellers, tourists and buyers coming from all around the world. It seem the … Read more
How to cut an opal by hand
Last year we brought you the story of 14 yr old Steiner Florian who told us how he cut an opal by hand. You can … Read more
Opal Pattern Types Revealed on Video
If you only watch one video on opal pattern types make it this one – our best yet. It’s all well and good to see … Read more
Gems emerge from rough opal
Gems emerge from rough opal… Sometimes its a real challenge to work out what to do with a piece of rough opal. While Justin may … Read more
How to improve the value of opal | VIDEO
In this latest video watch master cutter Justin from Black Opal Direct show you how to improve the value of opal. Justin happily shows you … Read more
