Black Opal Direct Beginners Parcel Unboxing

[@cathyerley3057]

Roy and Nancy, how fun that you two know each other! Sure is a small world, yes? Nancy, you're right, that opal bug never lets go. I live in Idaho, USA and we have opals here too, but ours are usually volcanic in origin so we have crystal opal. But they're still beautiful, I put them in glass for jewelry.

[@RoysRocks]

I will be trying to find sources of US opal so if you have any contacts I would be very interested.

[@cathyerley3057]

@@RoysRocks your best bet might be to see what the folks at Stewart's Gem Shop in Boise, Idaho could tell you. They're pretty knowledgeable. Are you familiar with star garnets? This guy is that guy.

[@RoysRocks]

@@cathyerley3057 Thanks, I will follow up on that lead and see where it goes. Subscribers have help me find heaps of winners so far.

[@CooperViolins]

I got the beginner parcel also, got two little dark crystals out of it with some blue color

[@RoysRocks]

Nice one. These beginner parcels might not make you money but as long as you had fun and learnt from it I'd count that as a win.

[@nancycurtis3230]

Thanks for the unboxing. Justin said the beginner's parcel came with a surprise in each one, to cut last. Won't be a 30,000 dollar rock, but something that you can say you did, yourself. Reckon I'll get one.

[@RoysRocks]

Hi Nancy... you wouldnt happen to know someone called Lucas? Or come from Dimmy? I did not know Justin said that but I'll keep going through the stones and see if any other surprises come up.

[@nancycurtis3230]

@@RoysRocks Strange question. I am his mother...... Lol. And yes, I'm from Dimboola. Only got to Coober Pedy, so far, but was on my way through to Darwin, so could only spend a few hours there, checking opals out.

[@RoysRocks]

We know each other Nancy. Its Roy Lehmann, I was only a year behind Lucas.

[@nancycurtis3230]

@@RoysRocks Lol. You lived next door. I just rang Lucas. He figured it. I remember when he used to chuck figs at you over the fence.... Brat that he is. Hoping that you are keeping well. Have you been interested in opals for long? Welcome to the Opalite clan...... Like the hotel California. Once you check in, you can never leave. Lol.

[@nancycurtis3230]

Oh. I don't know Justin. I just watch everything that I can that they do. A wealth of knowledge.

[@TCool-in2to]

I want to see it! I love black opal direct!!!

[@RoysRocks]

They are a good bunch there and Justin knows his stuff.

[@adamgc73]

I sub to Justin as well I'd be dissapointed if I paid and got that parcel ...just saying. I got a lovely little jar of rough for $50 out at lightning ridge a few years ago..have fun mate.

[@RoysRocks]

All of his beginners parcels are just about like this. Its an okay parcel for someone starting out and you are getting training videos and the handy chart as well. It's not just for a few pieces of potch. Having said that... I am thinking of putting together my own beginners parcels including all you need to get started on a really low budget.

[@DadDoosDay]

It’s a starter pack. Not a get rich off someone else’s hustle pack. Justin is the man. Period.

[@cathifamjourney469]

Nice parcel. Have fun with it. Like you said its a beginner set to give you practice studying and cutting different types of opal.

[@RoysRocks]

Yeah. Unfortunately beginner rocks dont excite me too much anymore so I haven't finished the entire parcel but I will get to it at some point...

[@fshnbuddy2]

Looks like that should be a good investment for the money. Nice buy cheers

[@RoysRocks]

Its been fun but value for money... Not the best. I really should finish the last few stones off to do a final summary.

[@TIG2MAN0]

I'm just starting out, how many Ounces does a guy have to cut through to get past the beginners stage skill level and start cutting some decent stones?

[@RoysRocks]

Not many honestly. The beginner starting out can get all the basics just by trying it out on 1-2 stones. The first one will be a nightmare but you can learn pretty much the whole process from that (pick a bigger rubbish stone. Of course each cutting method will be new but the process is the same. Once you can do a stone from start to finish perfectly move on to some better material. Good stuff cuts and polishes basically the same as potch. You just have to read the colour.

[@TIG2MAN0]

@@RoysRocks great answer, yes watching a lot of guys on youtube that have done this for a while its about reading the stone. I think thats an experiance thing but also taking the time and patiance to carefully look over a stone. Take the sand potch off and always be re evaluate what to do.

[@jefolson6989]

Most parcels I've bought have been so small half were worthless. But didn't pay 1/3 what you did. At least there are a few that are large enough to work with.

[@RoysRocks]

Can be a tough gig but you can get great parcels out there still for under $500. Just need to know where to look. This was a test purchase from Black Opal Direct which is like buying a top brand name so you never expect great value but I had to look into it for others to see.

[@jefolson6989]

@@RoysRocks Love the BOD videos. He seems like an honest man. I know it's a gamble no matter where you get them. With the cheap parcels I buy, if I get 1, 2, or 3 decent ones, I'm pretty happy. I'm a beginner and still practicing before I spring for larger stones.

[@jefolson6989]

@@RoysRocks I spent all my money on a Cabking 6v3 machine. Nothing left for stones!

[@RoysRocks]

@@jefolson6989 Haha I feel ya. Its why I stick to the budget cutting options though I do have a lot of stuff that hasn't come on the channel yet. Leaves plenty of budget for interesting stones but its an easier life for carvers than cabbers out there.

[@bindibindi6031]

Thanks for sharing 👍 Did the link to videos you got in pack, give you more than just what’s on his KZbin page?

[@RoysRocks]

Um not a lot more. Similar info to what you can find on the rest of the channel just more condensed.

[@theflyingchillipepper]

Wow... that's a better beginner parcel than I got. The stuff I got from them is all pretty much too small to even pick up.

[@RoysRocks]

Oh that is not good to hear. I guess they are not all made equal? I will be developing my own beginner kits but it is still a work in progress.

[@theflyingchillipepper]

@@RoysRocks - it is what it is. Justin puts up videos of each one, I guess I just picked badly. ( I guess thats a lesson in its own right - lol) However, for beginner parcels, it does seem a bit daft to have such small stones - i reckon most of these would be a challenge for someone with skills to shape and polish, let a lone a beginner. There a couple of bigger ones, so not all lost, and he does offer a full return policy - its just not worth the hassle for $150 from the UK. So... not to be defeated, I have bought a load more from elsewhere. LOL I can only hope are somewhat better to learn with. Damn this opal fever has got me, and I have yet to even polish one. :)

[@RoysRocks]

@@theflyingchillipepper Yeah the smaller stones can be by far the most difficult to cut. I think a lot of the value in the parcel is actually the videos but much of that is free on youtube anyway. I'd agree that they are not great value and I see it like buying the brand name version of something. Hopefully my budget knock-off brand beginners parcels will prove better for those learning if I can ever find the time to finish putting them together!!!

[@theflyingchillipepper]

@@RoysRocks tbh I have enjoyed watching Justin's youtube, if spending $150 means it continues, it's probably value for money anyway. However, at this time I am not sure I would buy another parcel from BOD. Maybe when I have more confidence, I would buy some of the better specimen parcels, but there are cheaper places and money talks. That said, let's be real, these professional miners and opal cutters don't sell the good stuff as rough, they cut that themselves. :)

[@RoysRocks]

@@theflyingchillipepper Yeah you are not wrong. You will only get the best rough if you build a good relationship with a miner or they dont do any cutting themselves.

[@madorganicscientist2527]

Great little parcel mate cheers for the glance of the beginning of a great start on lapidary, new subb here cheers will be good to see what u can do with them 😁👍 shout outs to Jason

[@RoysRocks]

Yeah it was a pretty fun lot of stones. I haven't gotten through all of them as most of the time I cut a higher grade but I will go through more of these as I like to target a beginner audience.

[@monikachandra2487]

Most of them are potch i would prefer colorful one but they might be expensive

[@RoysRocks]

They are all pretty much potch but you wont get great colour without spending hundreds. A single high potential stone can cost you thousands.

[@monikachandra2487]

@@RoysRocks I see why cheap colorful opals always in small size or have much flaws. But the color of opal very important for jewelry so it was decent after all

[@RoysRocks]

@@monikachandra2487 Yeah colour is the number one factor that is for sure. Just dont practice on colourful pieces. Can do hundreds of dollars worth of damage in less than a second.

[@thelastbox1412]

I’m ngl I got a parcel off of a ebay bid for $70 and had WAYYYYY better stones than what justin sent I’m not hating because I love judging I have been watching him for many years but just throwing it out there that my eBay parcels have been real nice.

[@RoysRocks]

Man its been a really long time since I got a good bunch of opal from ebay. That place really dried up and there are only 2 decent sellers on there last I checked. Justin is always going to sell higher than a random ebay seller because of his brand name. The power of getting big and respected in the field.

[@thelastbox1412]

@@RoysRocks that makes sense because he is reputable but I also meant to put Justin not judging 😂 and yea that’s about how many are left but still good parcels

[@guywilson2394]

150 I don't know questionable I guess it's on the buyer

[@RoysRocks]

I look at it like buying designer brands. I myself will be putting together parcels for beginners on a more kind budget similar to the current giveaway.

[@datrooster4112]

That was kinda disappointing, considering it came from blackopalsdirect. I got parcels coming from auction bids than that for the cost js. Not a bash just think you'll be happier with opalauctions.com

[@RoysRocks]

Yeah it is a bit like buying a designer handbag. You are paying quite a bit for the branding and BOD are very much retail pricing. This is also quite an old video. Many other purchases have been made including opalauctions.

[@markfardig1271]

Join a lapidry club and learn to cut and polish gemstones before touching opal. They can also put you in touch with people who will give you alot more beginner opal rough for $150.

[@RoysRocks]

Lapidary clubs can be quite limited but I agree it is a great place to go if locally you have one. I dont think people NEED to before touching opal it really isn't as bad as many make it out to be and as long as you are safe you learn much faster cutting. BOD's beginners parcels definitely arent a value buy in terms of rough, though you do get a few lessons from the Justin (from BOD obviously) so it is actually not so bad.

[@thomasferguson763]

I've known them and I only expectrd the best...

[@RoysRocks]

Well you cant get the best from them with just $150. If I somehow scrape together the funds in the future I'll get some real high potential rough from them.

[@ButtSauce666]

@@RoysRocks is there a separate page or something? Everytime I check their cheapest items are +$600

[@RoysRocks]

@@ButtSauce666 When they get back in stock they should be found here: blackopaldirect.com/category/rough-opal/rough-opal-parcels/ It takes time for him to stock. I'm finding it hard to put together my own so can understand why.

[@razzledazzle8948]

Expensive parcel. no..?

[@RoysRocks]

His beginners parcels are just over $100 from memory so not bad.

[@AL13N666]

You should try repps opal website, you can get some low grade boulder opal with some better looking pieces than in your video. They offer a 2000 ct 500 grams parcel at £30 or a 5000 ct 1kg parcel at £50, very cheap got alot of stones and some great colours in some. Great for a beginner like myself well worth the money.

[@AL13N666]

Here's the link to the parcel I brought , really impressed repps-opal.com/collections/topseller/products/boulder-rough1 They do have a page on ebay too

[@RoysRocks]

I will check it out but boulder opal is always much cheaper than lightning ridge black opal. I have many sellers lined up to review over the next few months. But I'll look at repps opal.

[@MLOpals]

@@AL13N666 Nice parcel only Boulder opal though, if you have this to cut gems out of, youll be nowhere close to the 5000ct Nice to polish them up n sell or keep them as a specimen