Slicing Machine vs Opal
This 13.25 carat nobby came from one of the most stunning parcels of rough I've had my hands on in a long time. This video will be part of a series where I cut every nice piece of rough from that parcel on camera.
When I picked this particular one up, the decision felt obvious. A thick color bar running right through the centre, potch on both sides, and what looked like enough opal to yield two beautiful gems from one piece.
So I did it. I sliced it straight down the middle. And opal, being opal, had the last word.
I walk you through the moment I felt confident enough to make the call, maybe a little too confident in hindsight, and the gut-sinking reveal when I realised I'd missed the color bar entirely. It's the kind of mistake that every opal cutter makes at least once. And it's the kind of mistake that teaches you more than any success ever could.
Sit back and relax whilst Justin stresses on camera cutting this Australian opal ⬇
The Final Result
Love the gems cut in the video? Get your hands on them before somebody else beats you to it!
Read more
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6 comments
JUSTIN! , what the hell? In the opinion of an apprentice (me) I think both stones came out fantastically beautiful! 😃
I suppose that’s why you’re the senior journeyman right ha ha.
That goes to show tuition payments last a lifetime,
Even your bad cuts come out, amazingly kick ass!
Happy trails,
Rick in Pantano, AZ
🇺🇸
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Black Opal Direct replied:
haha thank you Rick Yes the gems were beautiful. Thanks for watching
Rick Hannaman
Wonderful content, as always. I dream one day of cutting stuff this good!
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Black Opal Direct replied:
Thank you Bryce. I appreciate you watching
Bryce M
Still gorgeous gems, both of them!!!
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Black Opal Direct replied:
Thank you Julie 🙏
Julie Steiner
As we Yanks say, “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush”. Been there done that. You are still doing what you love and doing it and doing it better than most. Thank you for your videos!
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Black Opal Direct replied:
Thanks Ron 😊
Ron Olson. (Opal Ole)
Justin, That was definitely stressful knowing what was going to take place, Yet you turned a beautiful opal worth big money and the small looked fantastic also.
Thank you, Leo
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Black Opal Direct replied:
Thank you Leo Yes it was a bold move thats for sure
Leo Reyes
Fantastic you always come up with good opal . It’s a learning curve. Good luck thanks.
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Black Opal Direct replied:
Thank you Mario yes everything opal is a learning curve
Mario Manestar
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