video Archives - Black Opal Direct

Posted on 03/08/2020 by Melinda Bond — Leave a comment

Mother Nature’s Gem Crystal Opal

Dreamy opal cutting sequence of a gem crystal opal

Mother Nature formed this gorgeous gem crystal opal over millions of years; we’re just here to give it the final nudge to perfection. Today, we’ve got a clean skin nobby opal that was found in a shallow dig in Lightning Ridge. This gem has the 3D color-on-color effect that brings layers of life into the stone. The hues and patterns sit on top of each other and shift with the light give this gem a sense of fluidity that’s borderline hypnotising. This weeks video is a feel-good, dreamy gem crystal opal cutting sequence. Sit back, relax, and enjoy!

Posted on 27/07/202027/07/2020 by Melinda Bond — Leave a comment

Script Pattern in an Unreal Gem

Seeing rare Script Pattern unearthed from a rough opal piece is not what I expected from our last YouTube Live. I’m sure you could tell, from the amount of adrenaline you could hear in my shaky voice, as I uncovered a real gem in front of your eyes. Script Pattern, formerly known as Chinese Writing, is a rare pattern that looks like language carved in stone. We love the idea that aliens have cut something into this unique gem, attempting to send us a message from another galaxy. What are they trying to tell us? Are they admiring my bald head? I kind of feel like the chosen one. Whatever they…

Posted on 20/07/2020 by Melinda Bond — Leave a comment

Cutting to win! (turning 3 pieces to $4,600)

Today, we’re cutting to win. And we’re doing it in Mum’s sweater. There have been a few let downs on the wheel lately; opals with cancerous potch and a chunk of rough that ended as only a couple of carats. Days like this are quite common as an opal cutter; your confidence can get shot, and sometimes, you just need a win. Justin has three pieces of rough today; one from seam opal country, a capped blue nobby, and a dark opal with a thick color bar. Three different rough opals hopefully mean at least one will turn into a gem that sparks a groove! Our New Cutting Machine The…