In this video, I’m working with a rough piece of sandy seam opal from Lightning Ridge, full of sand and inclusions. It doesn’t look promising, but I’m determined to give it a go. The goal is to cut through the rough exterior and hopefully reveal a gem hiding inside. It’s a risky process, but the outcome might just surprise you.
The Challenge Begins
As I start cutting, the stone crumbles, revealing more sand than I expected. With every slice, the opal gets smaller, and the chances of cutting a clean gem seem slim. Testing the smaller pieces first shows glimmers of color, but the inclusions make it difficult to get a clean result. However, after working through the sand and imperfections, the opal begins to show potential. Carefully grinding away the remaining rough spots, I finally start to see the gemstone form. The finer wheel allows me to shape the stone cautiously, removing the last few inclusions and bringing the gem to life. How have we faired with this piece of sandy seam opal?
Beaten by sand?
Despite the challenging start, I end up with a 13.80-carat black opal worth $13,000, far exceeding my expectations. From what seemed like an impossible task, this piece turned into a stunning gem. Cutting opal is unpredictable, but that’s what makes it so rewarding. Every opal is a journey, and sometimes, the biggest risks lead to the most beautiful results.
Spoiler Alert
