Polishing opal can make or break a gem.Being the final step in the opal cutting process, an opal that is finished with a quality polish is the cherry on top that takes it to the next level. Think, ...
This little rock was hiding a gorgeous gem opal inside. Of course, it wouldn’t let me have it without a bit of a challenge. I find that sweet-talking my opal first doesn’t hurt my chances. I love t...
I like to keep it authentic with you guys and some days that means sharing my latest opal fail… That’s when it’s most important to pick yourself back up and try again, in my book. And that’s exactl...
Do you know those days when everything just seems to work? As if the odds are stacked in your favor and things easily slide into place like puzzle pieces. Today was one of those days.I like to call...
Even after 30 years of being in the business, I still get sand sucker-punched by opal. Just when you think you know your stuff an opal comes along to promptly remind you that you don’t. Like an ove...
My biggest challenge ever doesn’t seem to be getting any easier! This massive chunk of Andamooka opal is the opal that finally beat me.I have developed my skills in cutting opal over the last 30 ye...
Millions of years ago, on the border of an ancient inland sea, a gem was born. This is the tale of the half rough opal… Join me today as I uncover a stunning gem from a half rubbed, half rough opal...
Do you like surprises? I do. Well, good ones, that is. Let’s cut a beautiful black crystal opal from a gorgeous ocean blue opal nobby!It’s not every day that I’m surprised with more than I hoped fo...
What do you get when you cross a huge piece of Andamooka opal and a lot of very hard quartz? My biggest challenge ever! (literally!) In this weeks video, we’ll work on exposing the gem inside this ...