A High Profit Opal Cut

A High Profit Opal Cut is the kind of session every opal cutter dreams of — strong instincts, a few obstacles, and a result that proves why experience matters. From the moment this 28-carat Allawah crystal opal hit the wheel, it was clear there was something special hiding inside. Allawah is known for its brightness and clarity, and while this piece wasn’t destined to turn black, the colour bar glowing within hinted at a top gem waiting to be uncovered.

Right from the start, the goal was simple: find the colour bar, respect it, and don’t lose more weight than necessary. Easier said than done. A deep sand spot threatened to carve away value, and the facing decision would make or break the cut. But once the skin came off and that Allawah colour began to light up, my confidence grew. This was shaping up to be a calculated risk worth taking.

Chasing the Colour Bar Pays Off

Success hinged on reading the stone correctly. Cleaning back the potch revealed a colour bar running right through the thickest part of the crystal — always a promising sign. A small slice off the peak confirmed a bonus: a neat little crystal hiding under the white cap. Not bad for a warm-up.

As the cut progressed, Allawah’s trademark brightness took centre stage. The crystal cleared beautifully, revealing floral flagstone and chaff patterns with incredible depth. Decisions had to be made fast — remove more sand and sacrifice weight, or accept a little imperfection on the back to preserve size and value. In true BOD fashion, the choice was balance. No sand in the face, strong colour throughout, and enough carat weight to make the numbers sing.

Crystal opal like this is special. Its transparency gives you colour on colour, a depth few gemstones can match. While black opal might double or triple the price, top-grade Lightning Ridge crystal stands proudly on its own — and collectors know it.

One for the Books!

By the time the stone reached its final shape, the result spoke for itself. A clean, luminous 7.05-carat crystal opal with vibrant play-of-colour and a confident presence on the wheel. At $4,000 per carat, it turns into a $28,000 gem — a textbook example of why patience, experience, and trusting your instincts pay off.

Not every cut ends like this. But when it does, it’s a reminder of why we keep coming back to the wheel.