This is a more advanced opal cutter topic which has a few really great points when it comes to improving a gem opal. Sometimes you come across a stone that is beautiful but the cut could be improve...
A quick thank you for all your support throughout the year. For watching my videos, commenting on social media and on my blog. It is so appreciated and gratifying that you value the information I s...
We will be in Tucson, Arizona for the annual Gem Festival from Monday Feb 1 – Saturday Feb 7, 2016Christmas is around the corner but we are also getting ready to fly across the pond to the United S...
There are a few different types of opal. We thought it was time to create a guide, outlining opal types which will in turn help you understand the true value of opal. Black Opal Black opal is the...
Last year after a break of many years Justin and I travelled back to sunny Tucson for the annual Tucson Gem Shows that take over the city. There are over 40 shows spanning a 3 week period and the w...
(a.k.a. anything but ovals and rounds!) As you’ve probably guessed we are big fans of simple ovals and rounds. Opal just seems to show its best face in these shapes but sometimes when cutting Justi...
The 2015 Lightning Ridge Opal Festival was a great success with many sellers, tourists and buyers coming from all around the world. It seem the Chinese market is growing from strength to strength w...
Last year we brought you the story of 14 yr old Steiner Florian who told us how he cut an opal by hand. You can catch up here. We were all fascinated and the amazing Black Opal community got really...
Want to learn about opal types? This is the video for you. It’s all well and good to see an image of an opal pattern, but in order to really understand them, you must be able to see it move and eme...