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 got something a little different in mind this week so sit back, relax, and enjoy. This video focuses on how Justin’s workshop usually sounds; whirring machines and the grinding of gems. And, of course, uncovering a beautiful gem!
Let’s get cutting…
Justin starts by taking the 4ct rough to his sintered 360 grit wheel to reveal the color bar as best he can.
After carving out a shape he’s happy with, the opal goes onto the dop stick to begin the shape and pre-polish. Justin uses the Nova wheel and varying grits to get those final touches before polishing.
Justin uses the same compound to polish opals as is used to polish glass; cerium oxide. Taking it to his felt wheel, Justin polishes the gem.
The end result is a gorgeous 2.84ct dark opal with warm yellow, orange and red, and some speckled green and blue.
We hope you enjoy this weeks video taking a piece of rough to riches!
Let us know in the comments if you like this style of video.
