Coober Pedy Shell Opal

I recently had a decision to make with a unique Coober Pedy shell opal fossil.

This piece had incredible potential — beautiful play-of-color with vibrant hues — but the question was whether to preserve it as a fossil or cut it into a gem.In the end, curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to reveal what might be hidden inside. Sometimes, the only way to discover a gem’s true beauty is to take the risk and start cutting.

Cutting into a Coober Pedy Shell Opal

A delicate slice into history.
As I started cutting, the Coober Pedy shell opal immediately showed promise. The fossil shell encased some of the most vivid play-of-color I’ve seen, with pink, green, and blue hues glimmering through the rough. I made careful slices, separating the shell from the opal without losing the unique shape. It was a delicate balance—removing the fossil while preserving the gem inside. In the end, my hunch paid off, revealing not just one, but multiple stones from the piece, including a stunning gem with bright pink color and an intricate pattern.

A Rewarding Risk

The gamble was well worth it. The largest stone turned out to be a 15.65-carat beauty with a high dome and mesmerizing patterns of Flagstone and Floral. This is why I love opal cutting—sometimes the risk pays off in a big way. And while the fossil may be gone, the opal that emerged will be a lasting treasure. It’s always bittersweet, but moments like this remind me why I do what I do.