I cut this 166 carat rough opal straight from the outback mines of Australia

[@patricklarkin4389]

Stunning Justin your son is proving his worth by having you cut this opal he made such a smart decision! You must be so very proud of the man he is becoming!!!!!

[@blackopaldirect]

Very proud

[@TrentFord-f2p]

Should have slice of the colour bar and made 2 stones you took off the colour on the wheel

[@krissiruark5929]

@@blackopaldirect is it

[@W.MOpals]

Wasn't easy watching you cut through that colour bar on top, but it paid off! A MASSIVE opal with a sea of green and blue colour, I think its a BEAUTY! Amazing stuff Justin!

[@ThatOpalGuy]

I am glad I didnt have to make that choice.

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@blackopaldirect]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@waynebristow4720]

When I was very young, I remember my mom always liking opals. Its been just in the last year or two that I understand where they come from, what it takes to get them. Its amazing to see what you do, thanks for sharing these videos.

[@blackopaldirect]

That is awesome!

[@stephaniebray3983]

I think you are a much better judge of what might be best than most of us.

[@VTrutht]

😂💯. But our opinions still mean so much to us🤣😂🤣😂

[@billford1556]

It's always fun to watch you cut for a couple of years I have been amazed at your skill your son will be great and you are doing your father proud by passing on the skill to your son congrats on the legacy

[@VTrutht]

Exactly!

[@78LedHead]

Seeing a new BOD vid in my notifications is a gem unto itself. A gem of a video of a man cutting the finest gems on earth. I never want them to end.

[@christinechildress5021]

I was worried about so much sand! Two beautiful gems under it all! Thanks for my Monday night fix! ❤BOD!

[@blackopaldirect]

You are so welcome!

[@Kenlydford]

I love watching these as I fall asleep! I miss my grandmother sometimes and that’s how I originally found this channel as her name was Opal. I also love precious stones and metals.

[@blackopaldirect]

Glad you like them!

[@Greg1096]

I first started watching your videos a few years back and i rememver thinking how cautious and careful Justin was with his cutting. Then about a year ago i bought a cab cutter and started cutting some gems myself, now i realize just how much of a madman Justin really is sometimes in his cutting 😂. Or maybe im just overly cautious too, i do love watching these video's thought 😊

[@luisfernandorojasvelasco4731]

I can´t explain why, but your videos relax me a lot nice job well done

[@terryperry4160]

Me too

[@kimberlyhendricks1229]

Beautiful stones. I am glad that you didn't risk cutting it lengthwise. Thank you Saxon for pushing the old man to keep him challenged. Thanks for sharing.❤😮😂

[@blackopaldirect]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@garetkonigsfeld2]

I think i glad it was your decision. It's not even my stone, and i can barely breathe, watching you cut it. Thanks for taking us along

[@SheriLynNut]

My grandfather was an opal cutter. I used to sit and watch him make the most beautiful jewelry. I just loved being near him. I miss him so much. Watching your videos are so soothing to me (with that tinge of worry/excitement we all love- as you say- “I’m going in!” 😻 Thank you ❤

[@blackopaldirect]

What lovely memories of him you must havev😌

[@SheriLynNut]

@@blackopaldirect I do! He was an amazing man. Also a carver, like your father (I just watched the video where you show us the very special frog that he carved!) There was just about nothing my grandfather couldn’t do. He was a very humble genius. (Listening to the way you talk- I’d say your father was much the same )💗

[@jerryjeffw7373]

I love the videos where you cut and polish in the same video!

[@upyours8888]

Sometimes the imperfection is the beauty!@ 😊 If you ever make a mistake it must be rare. I think you made the right choice!@ Once again a master class.

[@Demonanimator]

Thank you guys for sharing this content, stories, and gems with the rest of the world. I look forward to seeing more!

[@thomaskendall452]

The big one would make a nice man's belt buckle. What a monster! Congrats extracting the best possible from a difficult piece of rough, Justin!

[@blackopaldirect]

Great suggestion!

[@amberandrews6842]

I think it looks like a Bolo Tie!!! Just an amazing gem!!

[@hyfy-tr2jy]

A bolo would be much more practical. A belt buckle would get hit too much for such brittle stone

[@danayneal4409]

Yes, you ground off that color with the gray webbing. But it will forever live in our hearts thanks to you sharing your talent through magic of KZbin ❤😊❤

[@dannyc6166]

I think there’s no way I would second guess you Justin!!!! I’ve never held an Australian Black Opal in my hand. I really enjoy your channel!!!!!👏👏👏👏

[@tinnov]

I think you made the best decision you could have with the information you had at the time. You've been doing this for many years, and watching your father do it for many more. If you didn't think you could have made two stones out of it, there's every reason to believe that was an accurate analysis.

[@blackopaldirect]

🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@elizabethwitt2621]

Both absolutely stunning! I wasnt expecting them to turn out that beautiful. Love the beard, Justin.

[@marlenemeinhard8956]

Back in the 90's after my father passed away, I had decided to buy an opal, and make a ring design, with a Triangle Opal in the setting, with a channel of small diamonds going across the bottom. I went to several places and looked at several rough cut Opals. After seeing about 10 opals I picked out a Black Opal with Greens and Blues, that he cut into about a 2.5 k. Triangle. I was so stoked and excited. At last, my ring was finished. My favorite ring of all times. Opal is my favorite, hands down. This cutting of Opals you do, I just love and get so excited as you sand down to expose all the beauty of the Color bar. I hold my breath with you. Thank you so much for these wonderful, edge of the seat cuts and sanding videos. Your son picked you a nice Opal. I love the big 38 k Opal. I wish you could just tell us the Value like you had in the past, because with my internet, it will take it hours to try and have enough speed to see.

[@blackopaldirect]

Awesome thank you for the story

[@nickfranklin1867]

Personally I think you made the right decision by not splitting the stone, absolutely beautiful!

[@santashahadley5916]

Justin they came out stunning and love coloring of stone too. Job well done sir and keep cutting beauties like this for us. I wish I could afford the little one from this video because she is a beauty. 💜👑

[@mikelawrence274]

Very cool. We both laughed when the polishing of the large gem changed to the small, my Wife said "WTF, how much did he polish off!!!" lmao.

[@devinhardy1832]

I had the same thought!

[@iancanuckistan2244]

The monster stone tamed by the maestro. Beautifully done Justin.

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you

[@Kerrsartisticgifts]

It's really unbelievable how much the polishing brings out the colour of opal. Beautiful stones, more than I imagined they would be.

[@thenodiggardener]

I love starting my day with a video from you guys, and seeing something beautiful brought in to the world whilst there is so much awful stuff going on around us. Great choice from Saxon. Your young Man really has his eye in for all this!

[@blackopaldirect]

Our pleasure!

[@eh1702]

Thanks for the terrific video resolution!

[@blackopaldirect]

You're welcome!

[@eh1702]

@@blackopaldirect And the best-shot & edited videos on youtube. Oh, and those stone things…..😉

[@mustricsgeza2431]

I saw all your videos. I already knew at the beggining that you are going to mention taking the top bar of for another stone and cutting it in two at the sand spot. Learning alot from you and that's a nice thing 😊

[@costrio]

I think you made the right choice. It sparkles nicely, too.

[@beverleyellis1869]

A jewel is born......the life within the stone flourishes. Awe inspiring! A diamond is forever. An opal is for eternity.

[@leeperrybender5811]

I'm am almost inexperienced compared to you, but sometimes I have the reaction that your shaping choices are guided by your goal of the "perfect oval" that you usually cut, rather than letting the stone reveal its own intrinsic shape. But there is no debating whether you wound up with 2 fantastic opals. Thank you!

[@cyann410]

Just maybe he knows what most buyers look for. This is a business, not an art project.🤷‍♀️Js

[@claudiosaltara7003]

3:45

[@claudiosaltara7003]

He know his business and follows his instinct with best results.

[@terryperry4160]

I trust he knows where the value lies.

[@GeoBoots]

I love the little freckle in the large one. Adds a touch of something extra to it. ❤

[@steveclark4291]

Thank you Justin for sharing this with me ! Those Opals turned out amazingly !

[@G.G.8GG]

Dear Justin, just to watch you at your art is a wonderful pleasure! We'll just say bless you to that other guy and hope he chooses to be elsewhere. Beautiful work. Thank you for sharing.

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you very much!

[@farginargle]

not just the size, color or pattern: the depth is the best I have seen on a stone like this!

[@rwacarolina]

I really enjoy watching true craftsmen do their thing. It's always good to see what you're doing Justin. I'm sure that you have already heard that you do fabulous work. A reputation well deserved.

[@opaladdictjoe]

the instinct pays off again! so awesome. thanks Justin

[@julienichols4188]

Oh my gosh, my heart skipped a few beats when you went from the big stone down to the small one! I skipped ahead and didn't see you make two stones and thought it was carved down! It was a relief to see both in the end!! Pendant and ring set!

[@babybear981]

Two gorgeous gems, absolutely amazing. Make a beautiful ring and pendant set. Keep them together

[@sandmaker]

Great choices wit equally fine results. Thanks for sharing your thinking and mechanical process. Love the stones.

[@blackopaldirect]

My pleasure!

[@OMFGxXxLMAO]

Outstanding!! This is the best of BOD! Your choice of music was very pleasant and suited the vibe perfectly… I believe you have found your inner calm… two absolutely beautiful and stunning pieces you have captured… I feel your dad was watching.. you speak for him and he speaks through you.. your own son has reflected to be just as wonderful and talented as the above mentioned… he is like these two stone.. a chip off the ole’ block… you are imbued together within those 2 stones… a gift… a gift perhaps from your father’s mastery that you emulate and preserve with your own today… cheers mate!!

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you

[@SMcCaskill]

I love the light and coloring in the opals. The way it pops and sparkles is so awesome!

[@alistairmills7608]

I was thinking to myself slice the top off, why doesn't Justin slice it ? No Justin, you do not make mistakes because you carry forward all those very precious lessons because you are a Master Opal Cutter and a fabulous human. Thank you for letting us into your world. It's tranquil, meditative, exceptionally skilled, very beautiful opals and videos that do justice to Australian Opals.

[@Debbie_YorkieMom]

Gorgeous! It turned out better than I initially thought it would. Congrats!

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you! 😊

[@rev.jeffwillrumble7711]

I like the irregular pattern. For me, it adds interest. It's unique.

[@williammcdonald3293]

That's a big Chunka Lunka piece of Opal you got there M8Y. Very nice. As usual it came out clean, Kudos to your son and heir.

[@obieobrien5883]

Beautiful! Justin, you have a gift! Saxon needs kudos too!

[@blackopaldirect]

He does and thank you

[@bryanwillingham7023]

Ive recently noticed how much skill you have maintaining the grip on the stones as you grind and polish. You rarely if ever drop them or let them slip. On a wet grinding wheel you make it look so easy!

[@shirleynash8859]

Wow! These are so beautiful! The tiny spots of green coming up through the blue looks like glitter! Dazzling!

[@cavemankris]

Woe that had me on the edge of my seat. How beautiful!

[@lloydbellis7360]

That was an awesome cut. Turned out beautiful Thank you 😎😎😎👍👍👍

[@DanielHeiney]

I've always enjoyed watching his videos.

[@nancycurtis7315]

Beaut result. Go Saxon, for making the 'ol man cut it! LOL

[@kiwigurn]

The production value in these videos is superb. Great work. Also go big or go home! Great to see a true professional go so effortlessly into such a big stone shows your deep experience. Looking forward to the unfolding stories.

[@blackopaldirect]

Much appreciated!

[@andrewlangendam4062]

Hey Justin, great video yet again. I got to say, your sound design and soundtracking has really become standout in your last few videos. It really help the story shine!

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you

[@maybeebuzzy2265]

Seeing this beautiful opal come to life... all I could hear is Sebastian the crab singing "Under the Sea".

[@Lo54Lo]

If you put out a video every single day I would watch them all! I love your channel even though it's made me sick with opal fever 😂

[@blackopaldirect]

Sorry! Not sorry 😂😂

[@Bobbydazzlla]

That is an absolute pearler mate, well bloody done!!!

[@brockshields9336]

Monster Sparkle ! ! ! It'll make a magnificent pendant.

[@lisacrandall409]

Great video, I learn more about opals with every video you make. Lovely stones, the smaller one would be wonderful in a ring. I will keep saving until the day that I can afford one of your beauties 😍😍😍

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you

[@garyfeltman4482]

You made the right decision to make a big stone. With all that potch,I think it turned out beautifully.

[@nancypiros9133]

So sorry Justin. Love your mindset you are always learning ❣️

[@gregparks1785]

Amazing work! Those two turned out to be gorgeous stones. I think you made the right decision not trying to cut off that top portion to get another stone.

[@amberandrews6842]

Beautiful!! Nice work. As long as you didn't hurt the stone below, you could have possibly tried to slice the top color off. The lower color bar was the one to save. I think we "armchair quarterbacks" aren't really in any position to second guess you. You understood the lower bar was the prize, you did a phenomenal job bringing it to life. Thank You for sharing your talents and time with the rest of us!!!

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you! 😊

[@heathbrent3414]

I think you made the right decision obviously I would have done the same Justin a lot of what I have learned has come from you so thankyou

[@goldensnme]

I love the opals with blues and greens!!

[@VickiMcGuire-db7kj]

Amazing as usual. Your very quiet today hope all is well blessings and thank you I love your channel so much

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you! You too!

[@lorifromtemeculaca426]

Love the look @ 15:32 !

[@Grammadi67]

the little end piece is gorgeous!!!

[@cathifamjourney469]

Absolutely gorgeous gems! I think it looks like a glittery easter egg 🥚 😋 ❤

[@rindapelton5876]

Both stones are Gorgeous! Thank you!

[@Ramona57-TX]

Gorgeous stones,

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you

[@Jurinich]

Justin, You are a Master Revealer! Great Job!!

[@rogervanamois5345]

You went the right way. Thats experience,knowing the right way to go.

[@William_Borgeson]

Justin, at this point we know better than to second guess the master!

[@HamBown]

What a gorgeous pair of stones, and I think you absolutely made the right call. It looked like the top colour bar could be saved early on, but I don't think it would have been worth the risk and the outcome speaks for itself.

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you very much!

[@ruthmusser4449]

Enjoyed this but didn't think I would cause I was holding my breath. After reminding myself to breath it was in your hands not mine I was captivated.

[@jhallack7491]

Beautifully done, Maestro!!

[@blackopaldirect]

Many thanks!

[@markstaub5250]

You go sir!!!

[@bhavifoxglove1319]

Absolutely stunning, no question.

[@AusOpal]

I think you did the right thing I would have done the same . No slicing the thin piece that blue on top touched part of the stone with the green below and looks great. Plus how many stones of that size you get to clean up not many. Very good Justin I enjoyed this one a lot .

[@nukenuked5749]

amazing work mate and you made the right call

[@steev927]

Keep the beard growing! It looks great on ya!

[@jimmurphy6095]

Beautiful stones, Justin.

[@tthappyrock368]

Ooh, that came out so beautiful!

[@DeanStoffel]

Awesome job. Outstanding as always. I would probably keep that one.

[@mtnvalley9298]

Of course you made the correct decision for the amount of opal that you cut. For me, I'd be wondering what if ? until my last breath! thanks for the show Justin and Co! from OriMike in Granby, Colorado!

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you

[@dazstone9331]

Great work …I didn’t see that gem coming out of what appeared to be a sand filled chunk of potch at first glance…well done ✅

[@LeoR-e6h]

Justin I think your on the right track

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you

[@steveshoemaker6347]

WOW WOW Sorry i am a day late.....That is a BIG BEAUTIFUL STONE......Thanks Justin...... Old flying Shoe🇺🇸

[@ceanothus_bluemoon]

I wondered if you'd slice to keep that rather lovely blue in the top colour bar, but the 2 finished stones were so pretty in the end. Always a joy to watch them emerge from sand and potch.

[@keyrone77]

It wasn’t worth the risk of another slice. You made the right choice

[@davidedgar2818]

I enjoy watching your skills in action. Seeing such a big gemstone cut from a very "iffy" start was a lesson to watch. Looking at the original stone, I would have selected the second band, probably anticipating a cut in the big gem. Your skilful read preserved the most part. That color pattern is one of my favorites with the play of blue, green, and gold. I relate it to the cover of Alice Cooper, "Billion Dollar Baby" album .

[@kaytrim]

Beautiful stone Justin. As far as slicing off the top blue color. As I was looking at the color bars I thought they domed up in the center so trying to slice in to two bars was a big risk in my mind. I feel you made the right choice.

[@selfretired3025]

I think the grey was too much. You made the right decision. Matching ring & pendant.

[@Clover12346]

I liked it when you would value the stones in the video.

[@ajrama1869]

beautiful...my first thought was slice that giant potch back off first and face the cut, and then consider a second slice to remove the colour you ground away...love your work

[@marianneparkinson3873]

Lovely piece of opal lovely colours