Australian Digit Opal - The Way Precious Opal REALLY forms

The most important aspect of this video is how Australian opal REALLY forms. The old theories are incorrect!
The digit pattern in precious opal, particularly notable in Australian opal, is a rare and striking phenomenon characterized by finger-like structures within the gemstone. These structures, resembling fingers or digits, were first documented in a 2013 article in Gems and Gemology by French authors, Rondeau, et al, who termed it the "digit" pattern.
Justin Thomas of Black Opal Direct notably discovered a large example of this pattern, named the "Rainbow Serpent," in 2016. While this digit pattern is more commonly observed in Ethiopian opal, its occurrence in Australian opal is relatively scarce. The formation of these finger-like structures, termed prismatic photonic colloidal crystals by Australian gemologists, is believed to be the fundamental process behind all precious opal formation.
This digit pattern is the natural way that all precious opal forms and this is exemplified the creation of synthetic opal, in which the digit pattern forms naturally. The intricate process of opal formation involves the deposition of colloidal silica within sedimentary rock, resulting in the formation of columns of opal that are often disrupted by subsequent silica flows. However, some opal seams, such as those found in Coober Pedy and Andamooka, manage to preserve the delicate columnar structures, contributing to their beautiy, rarity and value.
Link to Black Opal Direct's Video of the Amazing Black Digit opal, the Rainbow Serpent:
• Everyone said it was f...
Links to Videos on How to make Opal:
• Making Opals for Free ...
• Can you GROW an Opal?

[@trish002]

Opals, kitties & Mr P, what a great start to a Wednesday morning! Love the education given through these videos. Our knowledge becomes greater, thanks to you.

[@PulitzerOpal]

I can’t believe that nobody put this together before, Trish. The geoscientific data jives with recent experimental information about how synthetic opal forms and I believe that mostly explains everything. I am going to look into it more, though. Thanks for the nice comment.

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

Heterogeneous nucleation is a hell of a drug. Opal has it figured out...

[@michaelmacgeorge1082]

That is the best explanation of opal formation I have ever heard. It also makes sense that geologic pressure rather than seepage formed the opal. Thanks Colonel!

[@ChaosAssistant]

As a geologist who believed in the traditional explanation for opal formation, this is now my favorite video of yours. Thank you for distilling the info in such a digestible way. It sounds a lot like the formation of joints, hydrostatic pressure reduces the stress necessary to fracture rock and so there is a natural fracking process. This can also help explain what looks like flame structures in some opal, where tectonics might force/press less competent colloidal opal into surrounding rock... Scrrrrrrrr!

[@PulitzerOpal]

I need to read more about it. I spent a very long time putting this all together because an explanation as to how Australian opal forms, where color bars come from, and that the digital pattern is THE primordial pattern for opal formation all over the world .. I had to do it

[@RockyMountainBear]

Scrrrrrr! 🏴‍☠️

[@asquirrelhasnoname]

0:54 I love how not serious you are on your channel. Everyone else seems to be so serious, but I can always count on you to be silly and I love it!

[@PulitzerOpal]

You CAN DEFINITELY count on that. Without it, I might not be doing videos, a! Fun is #1 (opal is #2)

[@Jelly-rj8fz]

wow, That digit pattern opal is amazing. thanks for the visual treat.

[@mm6705]

I love how you blend science, cats, pretty rocks, cute edits, and humor in your videos :) Boy that is extremely generous to raffle off such beautiful pieces of opal. You are such a wonderful addition to the lapidary community :)

[@PulitzerOpal]

Thank you for the kind words. I try to put a little of all of that in my videos.

[@happybee7725]

Thanks for the opal education. Very interesting.

[@Rookie_Rockounding]

You my good sir have still got it! the learning and the humour and the ability to mix them together. I've got some catching up to do with watching your videos! Because i hadn't been posting any for such a long time, i couldn't watch any cause i'd just be making myself feel bad for not taking a break from my break sorta thing. But i got so excited when i saw this pop up and it felt so much like the first time I saw a Pulitzer video. You're a legend mate! Its so good to be back on board!

[@PulitzerOpal]

Thanks for the nice comment, Rook. If there is anything that I can do to help you and your channel, please let me know. I have a lot of interesting rocks. KZbin can be very hard for creators. I can only do what I am able to do with the time that I have available. Getting discouraged is very easy, and nearly everybody gets discouraged at least occasionally. Take care. If you need anything, email me (it is the contact or info link on my website.. which I have not touched in years!) dp

[@karlahall9058]

Thank you for explaining all that. I find it fascinating learning about how stones and gems are formed. Awsome video😊❤.

[@PulitzerOpal]

Glad you enjoyed it, karla

[@carlynscolorfulcreations]

My whole world of opal formation has been changed forever. Ive always really enjoyed the column pattern, but i would often chase the honeycomb pattern because i thought it was the "better one". maybe ill go for the columns in the future. Another ridiculously fantastic video, thanks pulizer!

[@PulitzerOpal]

You just have to cut at least ONE honeycomb, C, but after that ... I like the digit pattern. Thanks for the nice comment!

[@RockyMountainBear]

I still really love the honeycomb pattern, but there's a strong possibility that I'm biased. I tend to lean heavily in favor of anything that has to do with honey. 🍯 🐻

[@PulitzerOpal]

The side opposite the honeycomb pattern is most colorful overall, but the digit patten has color and organization. (I do love the honeycomb, though)

[@susanturcotte3176]

OMG Carlyn! I just watched a live show by Don and subbed to watch your live lattice sunstone vid after his! These stones are absolutely gorgeous and I learned a ton. Read my post and you will know. Blessings from Alabama ❤️

[@carlynscolorfulcreations]

@@susanturcotte3176 glad you enjoyed the lattice live susan, thanks for stopping by my channel and watching!

[@jadeplayz586]

love the digit pattern on those coober pedy opals! Another great video as always

[@lightsoutisay]

Informative and fun as always. Thanks for another great vid!

[@marcwood6376]

It's amazing watching you cut and polish these opals and the changes that happen.

[@angiewright692]

Thanks for all the great opal information you provide.

[@PulitzerOpal]

You bet! I actually shocked myself. I stumbled upon information that had never been explained in non-scientific terms.

[@ericamacmillan320]

Love your videos and the "deep science" explanations were great - I've been looking more at opals recently and this explained so much about the patterns I didn't quite get. Thanks!

[@kellyfoster8903]

And this is the reason why I love this channel. Opal facts, kitties, and beautiful gems

[@volcanicus]

you are the most entertaintment opal cutter in the net, by far my little daughters and I enjoyed every one of your programs, I hope someday can afford a journey to Australia to visit the mines and have that experience..I love opals

[@PulitzerOpal]

Wow, thank you! You are too kind!

[@volcanicus]

Maybe you didnt notice, but you are very funny guy, you had such occurrences...I picture you as a very happy man, your cats love you, thats easy to see...and you are very kind with us the spectators with your giveaway items. You take desitions abut cutting stones that any of us think about, dare devil ones, risky ones its like you are reading our curiosity minds...other cutters does'nt take that kind o risk. long life and health my friend!!!

[@PulitzerOpal]

You won a giveaway, V. My last video - Something like “Big Opal Flash.” [e-mail] (need your mailing address

[@0therun1t21]

I like Blaclfish the most, good lord! That was a great explanation of how seams get disrupted, thank you! Digit is the name I prefer, so good!

[@PulitzerOpal]

I also like Blackfish, but the "people" seem to like ... the doublet.

[@jw4879]

Excellent technical descriptions! Thanks!

[@yougoattube]

Loved the science section. My wife often refers to me as "primordial ooze" but I think she really means "primordial pattern". At least that's what I'll tell myself from now on.

[@PulitzerOpal]

Glad it was helpful! I could not believe that this stuff was hidden in scientific publications! The best article was from 2013!

[@PulitzerOpal]

I have used "primoridal ooze" before in a video .... It sounded so ...... skrrr!

[@gracattackk]

You have the best videos. The cats, the science, the opals, Sheila…edutainment at its finest!!!

[@BeaEss]

That's fascinating, I've been watching opal videos for years but only just found your channel. I'm addicted already - and your cats are beautiful!

[@PulitzerOpal]

Great group of cats! Opals, too.

[@BeaEss]

@@PulitzerOpal In order of importance, obviously!

[@QuestionsStuff]

That made me go wow... Now I have to look up all the latest research on the formations ..

[@Mind_Idiot]

The revised explanation of australian opal makes so much more sense. Great video as always, and great kitties too.

[@showmediamonds]

PPCC. Amazingly impressive. Love them digits. Wonderful presentation.

[@PulitzerOpal]

Thank you. It took me quite a while to find this information. I guess that most people don’t care. Once I found it, I felt obligated to put it in the video, because it explains a lot of things that people should know like how Opal really forms and why we have color bars and why the digit pattern is so rare in Australia. It was worth the extra work though.

[@dyviness]

Thank you for this. Very educational as always! I have a much greater appreciation now for the digit pattern. It wasn't my favorite initially but having the additional context on how it's formed does it make it more interesting.

[@PulitzerOpal]

People who cut Ethiopian opal like the honeycomb pattern. It is interesting, but once you have seen a few, it's not that great. But the "fingers" make great patterns, and I believe that all Ethiopian opal, for example -- although it does not appear to be related to digit patterns, I think that it all is. I am doing research on it.

[@susanmiller4159]

Was proud of myself that I’d been paying attention. I knew you’d say digit pattern at the end. What gorgeous opals! And Sheila has come alive. The one positive thing I’ve seen from all the AI hullabaloo. Saw you on IG and came over. ❤

[@PulitzerOpal]

I was looking at some Ethiopian opals on Instagram and tried to find a way to link my KZbin video, but was not able to. So I decided to upload a video from my computer ... any random video, just to try it (upload to Instagram), but it was unsatisfactory, so I had to dictate an explanation. Maybe I will make a YT short out of it, too. As far as AI, I think that people will get VERY tired of Sheila speaking, so I am going to use it sparingly. (The good part of AI is the opal mountain, that I made out of Ayer's Rock. The AI would not make the whole mountain opal, so I helped with some photoshop. The story in this video is very important .. at least to opal people. (How Australian opal forms, how opal starts out everywhere, where color bars come from, and the digit pattern is how precious opal forms without help --- you just let it sit and it forms digits all by itself!

[@susanturcotte3176]

I stumbled across your videos by accident. However, I started watching them (this is the third one). I am absolutely astonished and completely sold on "digit patterns." Never seen anything like it. 😮🧐 And, I want to thank you for your full descriptions, research and explanations between how it was formed onward. I learned so much! Briefly, I had a chance to buy a pinfire red necklace and earrings set many years ago. I kick myself every time I watch one of these videos. It was only $180 dollars for 4 carat total. After watching this video, this is exactly how the pattern looked like!! That would have been worth a whole lot more money! Only to find out right now how rare it is! 😭 I walked by the lady's booth for 3 years and looked at them- even held them in my hands! Now, I think the lady passed away as she no longer has a booth. My loss. I just pray that whomever has them, they do some research to learn about valuable that set is. I'll just keep crying now....... 😔😱

[@PulitzerOpal]

Thanks for stumbling by, Susan. The digit pattern opal story is going to have a second chapter. I have been examining hundreds of opals and video clips and I’m pretty sure that I have to add to the story. Thanks for the nice comment!

[@chrisgray1930]

It's a fascinating insight into how opal was actually formed. It makes sense if you look at numerous examples. It's just amazing how many different, beautiful patterns the shifting earth has created. Great information sir.

[@PulitzerOpal]

I was very lucky to have stumbled upon something that has been known for over 10 years, Chris. It was not known by opal-lovers because it was in the form of scientific technobabble! All I did was translate it!

[@michaelrobinson2141]

Great vid😊

[@Jillysmom63]

Oh man I missed this! KZbin’s has been really glitchy this past week. I was getting either no notifications or I’d get o e after a live video was over. I never got yours. If ember Justin cutting that o-Al and you got some too! That’s amazing. It’s a really beautiful pattern.

[@chrislopez1918]

Thanks for all the info and the good times here on your channel , you have a great collection of opals , I saw that episode from Black Opal direct , the colors are amazing on the premium opals you both have . 👏👍👋

[@PulitzerOpal]

Thanks. I like your icon!

[@PulitzerOpal]

Let me know what you find. I also am checking mine and in opals from elsewhere in the world. [e-mail]

[@sheriroberts2954]

Your is the first channel I subscribed to deliberately and go back and rewatch episodes both for the opals and for the herd of cats!! All those orange mini tigers! I have been lucky enough to own a few pieces of opal (tiny ones) and cherish them! My most recent acquisition is a piece from a yard sale! It is a nice ring with a center garnet and two small opals on either side. I also picked up a set of pearls which at first look appear to be real cultured pearls. Happy opaling!

[@PulitzerOpal]

Thanks for the nice note, Sheri. I have a lot of kitty videos…. And a lot of opal!

[@dmw1306]

I've been a rock hound most of my life and That opal always catches my eyes every time. I love them. It was a great video. Thank you. I can't wait for the next time.

[@ThisIsSimr]

TODAY I LEARNT that the folks at Kyocera ALSO make synthetic opal! I was astounded when I first stumbled upon their ceramic knives ("...but but but... won't the ceramic blade break?!") and then I got the chance to use one. Gosh it was fantastic because it is surprising when a daily object like a knife is made out of an entirely unexpected material like ceramic. A smooth cutting experience, too ⭐. While I am still partial to natural opals instead of synthetic ones, the innovation and advancement is still very cool. I imagine a factory visit to Kyocera (knives OR opals) would be fascinating.

[@cyberredhead]

I learned more about my birthstone gem from this video than I ever knew. Thank you for sharing your knowledge in an interesting way that kept me engrossed.

[@gabrielgundulf7139]

the quality of your videos only goes up! wish wed get more of them! opal is such a beautiful stone! I hope someday i can find my own and polish it myself

[@PulitzerOpal]

You can do it with sandpaper (mostly)

[@suzanneray1527]

Amazing info. My love of opals just expanded even more. Tanks for the wonderful education about the frozen rainbows 🥰

[@oxh973]

I'm set up to be notified of all your videos, but I didn't get notified about this one. Great stuff as always.

[@DebbieHarmonson]

Awesome video. Enjoyed the explanations of the types of opal.

[@PulitzerOpal]

Glad you liked it, Debbie!

[@EightDogs-us8mz]

I am a nut and I’m here till the end!! Thank you, Colonel. I love watching you cut Opal and I learn something new every time especially this video. It was probably my favorite one yet!

[@AStanton1976]

Wow, shaking the whole world's understanding of opal formation! Love the vids!

[@Blumack21]

G'day again from Australia. I always enjoy your video and narration on opals and especially your cats. A few years ago I bought my wife a small opal pendant for her to wear of Australian opal. Opal and it's colorful patterns and also watching rough opal being cut interests me a lot as the mystery of whether or not a stone is salvageable from what is inside it. Thank you. Andy

[@PulitzerOpal]

I think that is why people like to see opal cutting videos. Sometimes you catch a big fist and sometimes you catch an old shoe! (I HATE old shoes!)

[@charlotten5626]

Another excellent information packed video with some utterly exquisite opal, thank you!

[@davidsommerfeld2955]

Always educational and entertaining. Thanks for sharing.

[@gipsymajor829]

I like the digit pattern - easy to remember name as well. I love seeing your cats as well

[@dinoklein]

I have seen the video of Justin, showing off that piece of opal. It really is a nice stone! Scrrr! You seem to have quite some specimens of digit pattern opals yourself. I can only imagine how many opals you need to have to have that many with the digit pattern! On the subject of cats, my brother recently adopted four kittens. Cuteness overload for certain, but what a terrorists they are! I do love the videos and photos he sends me though, as I do enjoy the clips you treat us with from time to time. I see that Sheila has become much more expressive recently. She always has some gems to say. I will be eagerly awaiting your next video.

[@PulitzerOpal]

Thanks for the nice comment, d! I don't know how it happened, but this is the first time that I have ever SEEN cats get along. All 4 of them ... I have never seen it in any two cats that I have had! I would like to be able to tell your brother what to do make his into a "herd." The only thing that I can think of is that the first (of this group), Paco, is very calm and ... maybe they look up to him. Thanks for the nice comment! dp

[@OurLastStand]

Great video. I learned a lot. I can always tell you care about opal when you teach about it. You make it fun, but instructive.

[@thecre8ors]

Love the effort and humour you put into your videos

[@QuebecGoldProspecting]

Thank you for your great video. Digit patern are so nice. Thank again fotlr teaching us !

[@pattimessenger6214]

More stunning opals! And a great lesson too? Thanks for sharing!

[@nateroberson766]

This was super informative. Thank you for taking the time to teach us nuts!

[@thierrybergeron3397]

Amazing patterns! Sookie looks so comfy while cleaning her paws! Thank you for the lesson and the entertainement!

[@PulitzerOpal]

Sooky is comfy, except when she is chasing the boys.

[@kaynefryday1251]

The Ayers Rock made of opal picture you put up looked amazing 👍

[@PulitzerOpal]

Done with AI and Photoshop. The AI just count not make the whole thing opal.

[@lynnwerrett2168]

Watching your wonderful episode, I have learned more here than I have in the last year.. awesome content and explanation.. keep up the fantastic work...ps loooove the kitties❤

[@PulitzerOpal]

I learned things in researching the science articles for this video than I never imagined I could ever know. I appreciate the nice comment. Hopper is here and I am rubbing his belly … his favorite! He comes up beside me and manages to wiggle under my arm a get his tummy under my hand. I have no idea how he figured this out. Thank you for the nice comment, lynn

[@angush5178]

Loved learning about the technical aspects of opal formation 👌 always good quality videos

[@thegloomining1955]

Very nice explaination thanks again for dropping more opal wisdom.

[@DataPilot370]

That digit pattern is so amazing. Scrrr! 🙀 The kitty play sessions are fun to watch as well. 😸

[@brucesr8744]

amazing presentation, you set me on the right path to understanding opal. I've been an opal nut for over a decade and seeing your examples makes me buy more and more lottery tickets.

[@carmengaddie8358]

I agree with the use of the name Digit Pattern. It pays respect to the original author. I now have a new appreciation for this pattern and I want to add this type of opal into my collection. Amazing job teaching us about our favourite gem and keeping it interesting. 😻💎😻

[@shawnrock5619]

Skipper is the perfect name for that piece you do such good work

[@urishmueli284]

Amazing video as usual! Those opals are astounding! Thanks for the educational piece, you do wonders for the opal community.

[@PulitzerOpal]

Thanks 👍 for the nice comment, u!

[@Nattokusai]

That was an amazing explanation of the difference between how Ethiopian opal and Australian opal are formed! The color bars and patch soup in the Australian opals I have make so much more sense now.

[@PulitzerOpal]

I was shocked when I found out all of this stuff. It was there all along ... in sophisticated scientific publications! I spent a long time figuring it out. (I am best at chemistry and biology; geology ...I"m a rookie, but my science background helped ... and so did Wikipedia and other info sources!) There were so many new things ... how AU opal forms, it forms from digit patterns .. all opal apparently does - the digit pattern is the way that opal comes together naturally, not just in synthetic opal ... the origin of color bars. Exciting stuff. Probably the ONLY "important" video that I have ever done. Thanks for the comment.

[@Nattokusai]

Oops, typo. Potch, not patch...😢

[@sharonwolfe4230]

Thanks for the info and for the laughs. I've never seen more beautiful Opal.

[@American-Jello]

Oh my, Skipper is stunning! I am always blown away by how amazing opals are!

[@betojdesigns]

Thanks for the info Colonel. Good to see you and the kitties again, and Sheila too.

[@jamesblake7338]

Loved the kitties! Oh and the opal stuff too!😂 great video!

[@statewench2828]

Love the science explained for us nerds that didn't know about Digit Patterns. Thanks

[@PulitzerOpal]

Which state are you the wench for? (I don’t think that NC HAS a state wench)

[@budklw]

Great seeing a new vid from you today. Always learning in a fun way, that's the best!

[@PulitzerOpal]

Thanks for that! This may be my best video ..... change that ...... it may be my most IMPORTANT video. I IS my most important. The TRUE origin of Australian Opal??? (I never expected to ever have a video with that in it!)

[@JohnW-ih2xz]

My whole life has been centered around Prismatic Photonic Colloidal Crystal or something like that. Nice vid, keep up the good work.

[@PulitzerOpal]

Mine, too! I am all PPCC, 24-7-365 .. 366

[@xandernoel4592]

Great show Col., and the scientific data on the newly stated information about how opal is formed every where is very interesting! Thank you!

[@andrewgivens5070]

Amazing work as always! And I learned something new about opal even after 5 years of cutting Australian opal!

[@PulitzerOpal]

So did I! I was reading the research and I was shocked, "Finally, somebody is telling me how Australian opal forms, where color bars come from and that the digit pattern is how opal forms in all precious opal (everywhere)! You see, nobody ever bothered to "translate" this important new scientific information from Technobabble into English. But you know, from a scientist's perspective this information is only "vital" for other scientists to stimulate more scientists to research new topics. That's probably why it was not "translated." I"m sure some scientists felt that it was beneath their dignity to put the discoveries into the words of a layman. I understand, but it isn't difficult. I had to do that for years ... and the people that I was explaining things to were mostly other doctors!

[@michaelfaulkner6607]

Fascinating! I have a collection of opals, but none like the beauties you share with us here. Thank you. (I love opals!) 🤗

[@PulitzerOpal]

They are easy to love … I think

[@suekeiko5426]

As always, love the episodes and what you do.

[@TheWireFanatic22]

Thank you for the lesson. Learning about opal always brightens up my day

[@oldcoins7246]

Love all the info about the differences between opals.. ..

[@PulitzerOpal]

Glad you like them! I do, too, OC!

[@aropals672]

Now that was very interesting and really informative. And of course some absolutely beautiful opal!!

[@clintstoner13680]

That digit pattern is incredibly interesting. Now I've gotta check through some of mine :)

[@peterRobinson10101]

its interesting how that 'finger opal' look is a lot like the illustrations you showed us on synthetic opals. Love your videos. Edit: should have watched fhe whole video before commenting, because you show us the pinstripe synths sgain. Thanks for the info yet again. That fish was dying for a drink!

[@thefeatheredfrontiersman8135]

I still remember the picture legend of the spirit of animals being stuck in the stone. I've always wanted to own a decent pice of Nevada Opal. As always kernel, thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@michellenesom5192]

Thankyou for sharing your vast knowledge of opals ❤

[@PulitzerOpal]

It's not vast. I just started a month ago. (I took over from the REAL Colonel; I'm just a Sergeant!)

[@s.w.9756]

You have really level uped with the addition of the deep science department. Thanks for sharing about the digit pattern. So interesting

[@johnbengel8330]

Great video! I wish I could find material with wide enough color bars to face for digit pattern. 🤷🏼‍♂️. But now I have a new goal. Thanks a lot COL.

[@PulitzerOpal]

Go for it!

[@AvalonDreamz]

Always great to wake up and see one of your videos! Opal is just so beautiful, no matter what pattern it comes in I love them all!

[@PulitzerOpal]

I agree!

[@thatotherguy2]

Skrrr! I was all about the science. I’m really shocked at all the awesome opal you inadvertently purchased when just starting out that turns out to be so amazing. I can’t get enough of the information you keep pumping out. Thank you.

[@PulitzerOpal]

You and me both! This "vital" information has been available for at least 10 years and nobody tried to turn the "technobabble" into something a little more understandable! I was doing the video on that parcel of Coober Pedy light opal, and that led me to articles about Australian opal formation. When I discovered why there are few digit pattern AU opals and found out where color bars come from, I felt that I HAD to tell everybody. It took me many hours every day for more than a week, translating (from technobabble), organizing, and recording. It was worth it! Skrrr!

[@thatotherguy2]

For what it’s worth, on behalf of us technobabically challenged people, thank you. The translations mean that I can actually understand what it is that I am trying to learn without having to google every 3rd word or so. Cheers! @@PulitzerOpal

[@higanbanamarie669]

Your channel is a treasure.

[@FS15MappersParadise]

Love them all but splash takes my eye! Great work as always...

[@karengafford-qt6nc]

Just stumbled upon this opal site!! Awesome...very informative, luv the kitties

[@miltonbuckman3109]

Incredible examples of ScrrrOpal.Another great video.Thank you.

[@danielallen6575]

🤯 You never cease to amaze me Colonel!

[@OMWone6629]

I learn so much about opals. Thanks.

[@StephanieNoble-es5pe]

Guilty of being a science nut!! Fantastic video, my spouse and I eagerly await your videos. It’s a bonding experience for us, and it doesn’t hurt that we both love opal. Thank you!!

[@PulitzerOpal]

I'm not sure what that says about the future of your relationship, but ... Thanks for the nice comment!

[@heresjohnnyj]

Great show and magnificent opals. Thank you 👍

[@Scarlet_Soul]

What do you mean don't get excited about Skipper. That's one stunning doublet

[@PulitzerOpal]

Fine to be excited, I guess. But it's only a doublet ... a small one, S!

[@HHGLowBob]

In my limited cutting experience, i feel Ethiopian Opal has kind of colourbars, just more spherical in shape. Like a more white "shell" and an orangy core scrrr. Thanks for the Video 👍

[@M.W_Germany]

I recently bought some roughs from Ethiopia that got some crazy colour bars.

[@PulitzerOpal]

Well, in the "digit opal" original article, they show an opal with colorbars, but if you look closely, only one of them appears to be precious opal. The orange layer in that photo is precious opal. I'm not sure about the rest of it. Now there IS what appears to be a second layer in many Ethiopian opals. The tips of the fingers are dissolved away a little over time and the resulting silica -- non-precious opal forms a "potch" layer above the digit layer. I suppose that you COULD call that a color bar, but the color is off white ... always. (almost always!)

[@mandab.3180]

your cats are so humorous 😊 we had 5 at one point but they never got along with each other. i love the opal stuff but sometimes i zone a bit just watching the cats.. best of both tbh. 😄

[@PulitzerOpal]

I have never had even 2 cats get along well. Sookie stirs things up, but the 4 of them get along great. It's amazing!

[@Smallathe]

Very cool digit patterns :)

[@kevbruce9191]

PPCC just blew my mind 😂 So you're telling me that Outback Opal Hunters are telling me half truths? Reality TV shows would never do such a thing..... Excellent video as always 👌

[@PulitzerOpal]

What did they tell you? Ohhh ... about silica water collecting in seams? That's b.s. (as we now know)!

[@andrewbonnewell3428]

I’m glad you settled on Digital Pattern, is the easiest to remember. Thanks for the video!! Scrr

[@PulitzerOpal]

Skrrr! (Urban dictionary uses a "k" instead of a "c") I should have known to fact-check my slang!

[@scottsummers5320]

Great educational and fun video mate!