There are a lot of ways to cut an opal, but why is this opal cut wrong? Today I have an opal rub, which is a piece of rough that someone has begun cutting. Sometimes I’ll get my hands on an opal t...
If you’ve been following my journey in opal cutting, you know I’ve done a lot like cutting gems worth more than my car, explored mine shafts in Lightning Ridge, and even moved my family to the outb...
Hand polishing opal without machines is simpler than you might think; with some sandpaper, a knife hone, a piece of leather, and a bit of elbow grease, you could uncover a gem! Today, I’ll be cutti...
I unearthed a $5000 black opal from the rough and it felt as good as coming home to a big seafood dinner! We’re going a bit coo-coo in the workshop today; from head-banging to Harry Potter spells a...
A friend approached me recently and asked to see some pictures of an opal my father cut when he was alive. While it’s hard for me to talk about, I wanted to share with you this tribute to my father...
My latest magic trick; watch as I turn this 40-carat rough opal nobby to a couple-carat gem. This week’s video will either make you smile or cry… either way, it ends in an epic gem.It’s been a whil...
After a week of fishing the Great Barrier Reef with mates, it’s time to fish for a gem! Can I cut a gem opal from this color?I’ve been fishing in the gorgeous waters of the Great Barrier Reef for a...
No bigger than a dime; can I cut a gem out of this tiny opal?I thought I’d challenge myself this week by cutting this small nobby that I’ve had sitting in my stash.But first, coffee.Now that we’ve ...
There is some serious skill involved in spotting a good deal in opal. Mix this skill with a great love for the gemstone, and you get someone like me who has built a career around it. After chatting...