Cutting a Family Friend's Rough Opal
I just got back from Lightning Ridge helping Saxon with his mining operation. While I was there, a close friend of my late father handed me a 140 carat piece of black Lightning Ridge rough. One standout color bar running through the gem hinted at something incredible hiding inside.
But, of course, there was a problem. The Gemfish flashlight couldn't penetrate the rough at all. Was it solid black opal with a clean color bar waiting to be revealed or was it packed full of potch? Only one way to find out... take the top off.
This wasn't just any cut. This opal belonged to someone connected to my father and the weight of that trust sat heavy on every single pass of the wheel.
In this video I walk you through every nerve-wracking step of the process. From slicing through the sand line where two nobbies joined underground, to carefully working down the potch and watching anxiously for the colour bar underneath. You'll see the exact moment the gem begins to reveal itself. What are you waiting for!? Watch the video ⬇
The Final Result
Love the gems cut in the video? Get your hands on them before somebody else beats you to it!
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7 comments
Excellent work Justin. Hope your nerves have settled, mine wouldn’t have 🤣 Good luck with the mine.
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Black Opal Direct replied:
Haha yes they have settled now. But in a few weeks another killer gem black opal gets cut and we will be back with nerves of steel hahah
Gaynor Wright
Absolutely beautiful! I would love to see all the other stones you got out of it as well! Great work!
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Black Opal Direct replied:
Yes I gave those pieces back to the miner so he could see what was left over. I didn’t end up cutting them
Lynn B.
what a wonderful Work, thank You for showing it!❤️👍🏼
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Black Opal Direct replied:
You are most welcome and I’m glad you enjoyed it
Rene Lieberherr
beautiful – it looks a bit like a peacock feather!
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Black Opal Direct replied:
It does a bit. Thanks for chiming in 🙏😊
Eloise
What a beautiful cut . I would have cut close to yours. Thanks for sharing.
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Black Opal Direct replied:
Awesome greet minds think alike
Mario Manestar
very cool!! Fun to watch. Even I was nervous…………………
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Black Opal Direct replied:
I was def nervous too haha
dave Gallaher
Absolutely 💯 love your videos
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Black Opal Direct replied:
Thank you I appreciate it regards Justin
LeaAnn Serbanich
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