video Archives - Black Opal Direct

Posted on August 16, 2021August 17, 2021 by Tamika Ireland — Leave a comment

Rough Opal can be risky business

As with all rough opals there is plenty of risk involved, but with risk comes reward — this is a journey not to be missed. From the beginning I can see that this big piece of rough opal has inclusions and sand but I am more excited to see what lies deep inside. I have been a sand magnet of late and have taken a few beatings from some rough opals but I’m always up for a challenge. Once I started working on the knobby and started to expose the colors I could see the potential this rough opal had to offer. The risk lies in the slicing of the…

Posted on August 3, 2021August 10, 2021 by Melinda — Leave a comment

An opal buying trip to Lightning Ridge!

Opal Buying Trip to Lightning Ridge video by Black Opal Direct

We’re off on an opal buying trip to Lightning Ridge! Watch as we dance, skip, and crawl our way out west. Lightning Ridge is a long way from any of Australia’s beautiful coastlines. Separated by the Great Dividing Range, the climate here is sheltered from the tropical weather of the coastline. This creates an arid landscape dotted with shrubs, wildlife and prickly pear cactus. But just because it’s miles away from the sand and salt of Australia’s famous beaches doesn’t mean it isn’t a stunner of a sight to see. Long and narrow roads shouldered by the red dirt of the outback lead to Australia’s best country town. Let me…

Posted on July 12, 2021July 12, 2021 by Melinda — Leave a comment

Watch a humble nobby opal turn into a ripper gem

Gorgeous nobby opal cutting tutorial video by Black Opal Direct

Some days opal humbles you, and other days a humble nobby opal turns into something magical. We’ve been locked down here again in Queensland, so to keep the state safe, I’ve decided to spend all my time cutting opal. Oh, wait… that’s kind of what I do anyway. After a brief stint in kooky antics and songwriting, I’ve decided opal is where my talent lies, so let’s get stuck into it! Today, I have a nice yet humble nobby opal. The color bar looks clear and watery, and there’s potch and sand on the top along with black potch on the back. When shining the flashlight through the stone, it’s…