A Dark Surprise

This piece of dark opal rough came from a recent parcel and was 'unassuming' at first. But a red color bar running through the rough hinted at something worth chasing. 

Once put on the cutting wheel a second color bar started to clean up on the back. Suddenly a straightforward cut became something else entirely. Could this yield two gems from one piece? 

Sand inclusions and potch had other ideas, threatening to eat straight into the best color at every turn. So the pace slowed right down, every pass deliberate and considered, and the water was turned off. It's the kind of technique that makes the difference between losing colour and saving it.

Watch the full cut now and see how it all unfolds 🎥