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Advise on cutting opal. Your opinion needed?
Cutting OpalMar 12, 2018
Advise on cutting opal. Your opinion needed?

Throughout the years I have given my opinion on the art of cutting opal. Now it is your turn.We need your help to decide what to do with this piece of Andamooka gem crystal chunk of opalIt has many...

Cushion Cut Opal: A revived shape
Cutting OpalMar 9, 2018
Cushion Cut Opal: A revived shape

Now we aren’t talking about the soft furnishing kinds but rather the opal shape that is appearing more and more. Cushion cut opal has been around forever and we often see boulder opal in rectangles...

Mesmerising transformation from nobby to gem opal
Cutting OpalFeb 16, 2018
Mesmerising transformation from nobby to gem opal

Love gem opal but not into learning how to cut? This video is for you!Watch Justin transform an opal from a raw nobby into a massive wearable gem opal.Nobby opal like this is fairly typical for the...

New and improved synthetic opal. BEWARE!
Composites and FakesOct 29, 2017
New and improved synthetic opal. BEWARE!

New synthetic opals are being created every year and manufacturers are getting better at replicating natural opal. I recently obtained some of the new material from Tony Smallwood and thought it wa...

Cutting large opals to perfection
Cutting OpalSep 12, 2017
Cutting large opals to perfection

Cutting large opals takes some time and effort. In this video Justin goes through the process once the stone has been rubbed into a rough shape.He starts on the 360 grit diamond wheel and then prog...

Campbell Bridges: Opal Explorer
Community and EventsAug 16, 2017
Campbell Bridges: Opal Explorer

Campbell Bridges is a world renowned geologist, explorer and gemologist. He discovered Tsavoritenand brought Tanzanite to the USA in the 1960s. One stone not synonymous with him is opal – until now...

The World's Rarest Opal
Classification and GradingAug 4, 2017
World's rarest opal video: Part 2

The rough and unpolished gem weighs a massive 568.69 carats and measures 95 x 59 x 25 mm. For more on the origin and story visit the Part 1 post. Next week, we will reveal the equally amazing stor...

Eternal Flame Opal
Classification and GradingJul 31, 2017
The world's rarest opal: Part 1

The Eternal Flame – The World’s Rarest Opal A mammoth 568 carats “The Eternal Flame” is the largest and most significant black crystal ever found. What makes it even rarer is its origin. The volcan...

Taking risks with opal: will the gamble pay off?
Cutting OpalMar 30, 2017
Taking risks with opal: will the gamble pay off?

It’s pretty risky in our state at the moment with ex Tropical Cyclone Debbie battering us with heavy rain (12 inches in the last 24 hours – same expected tonight), subsequent flooding and tonight v...