video Archives - Black Opal Direct

Posted on 19/10/202019/10/2020 by Melinda Bond — Leave a comment

Why is this opal cut wrong? Opal cutting mistakes!

7.44 ct black crystal opal 18×17.5×4.7mm

There are a lot of ways to cut an opal, but why is this opal cut wrong? Today I have an opal rub, which is a piece of rough that someone has begun cutting. Sometimes I’ll get my hands on an opal that someone has already had a crack at, but for whatever reason, they’ve decided not to finish the stone. I got this rub from a miner that had a go at cutting but I believe they’ve done it the wrong way. Did this cutter make a mistake? Can I fix it? In today’s video, we’ll work on this stone together and answer some common opal cutting questions. Why…

Posted on 12/10/202012/10/2020 by Melinda Bond — Leave a comment

I carved an opal Emoji gem!

Carving an opal Emoji Gem from black opal and crystal opal

From gory nightmares to Tik Tok dances, let’s get ridiculous in this week’s video while carving a silly opal Emoji gem. I’ve done a lot of things in my opal cutting career; cut gems worth more than my car, dug deep for color, traversed mine shafts, moved my family to the outback, handled gems worth more than my house, and have met so many incredible people. What I can tell you, though, is that I have never done this before. If you like my videos, chances are you’re a bit like me; you love to try new things, are a little left field, and love to explore topics or skills with an…

Posted on 28/09/202028/09/2020 by Melinda Bond — Leave a comment

Hand polishing opal without machines

Hand polishing opal from Lightning Ridge, Australia

Hand polishing opal without machines is simpler than you might think; with some sandpaper, a knife hone, a piece of leather, and a bit of elbow grease, you could uncover a gem! Hand polishing an opal without machines is a great way for budding opal cutters to try their hand at something new without investing in expensive equipment. Now that we’re spending more time at home, cutting by hand can also be a meditative process for opal-lovers who enjoy slowly watching color unfold. Today, I’ll be cutting a Lightning Ridge opal and polishing that bad boy up without using any machines. This piece is a nobby with a blue color…