Carving Andamooka honey opal.

G’day everyone, I hope you’re all well! Here’s a quick carving video of some gorgeous Andamooka honey opal. I’ll explain my process a bit and hopefully there’s some tips for carving there for you. I hope you enjoy, thanks for your time. 🤪👍
My contact email: [e-mail]
My online store: theopalmills.com.au

[@nickbowden4164]

Never seen honey opal before. Its very pretty. Would make a wonderful pendant in a gold setting. Thanks for another fantastic video. Love it 😊😊😊

[@anthonymcclain6475]

I need some of this material! Love the earthy colors and overall feel of the finished stone...thanks for everything you bring to us opalholics!

[@A_Bone1972]

thanks for the indepth description of the whole process 🍻 ✌️🐝➕

[@offyarocka]

Heck yeah that turned out really nice!!! First time ive seen someone use those split mandrels to polish a stone, very cool 🤘😎🤘

[@annblakeway7691]

Turned out really good, and your eyes see what many of us perhaps wouldn't. Great patience and skills. 😊🎉

[@lyndallsymons9767]

Interesting material makes me want toast…. With honey 🍯

[@theopalmills]

🤣👍

[@jeffholmes1362]

Great video Phil, amazing how much work went into that, what a great display piece.

[@tommamerow8749]

Wow ...just wow .. Beautiful stone and Beautiful Job Phil ..I'll bet the owners will be stoked when they see it ..❤

[@firstlast-mp1dc]

Woo Hoo, a carving video. It turned out great.

[@1catfishuntermiller753]

Hiya Phil, awesome job mate, it came out beautifully. I hope you have a awesome blessed day mate. Cheers! Cya! 😺🐟 out!

[@mikethompson8707]

Yet another stunner.

[@hannagyllensten475]

Fire, so beautiful

[@kaynef6637]

Looks very nice 👍

[@Albanojardimenatureza]

.nice carve,play of color

[@bentationfunkiloglio]

Nice flashy color. Love the body tone! Looks like you could cut a pretty oval pendant. Value-wise, I have no idea if it’d be worth the effort.

[@samanthasimental3788]

They sell these buffing files for the nails. I use those on silver jewelry that needs help. They work great they are spongy do the get unto the smallest holes.

[@anthonymcclain6475]

Might try balsa wood for bits...holds paste or cirium even soaks up water better...just a thought 🤔

[@theopalmills]

Might be a bit too soft.

[@pkgoldopalhunting]

nice job mate

[@bbisyy4u]

Wow. Makes me think of a holograph.

[@lyndallsymons9767]

Also very interesting techniques worked out fantastic so how does this material compare with other opal ie, white opal does it have a N class or is it a rare type of opal

[@theopalmills]

G’day mate, classing opal is for valuation purposes, I’ll be doing another video on “valuing” opal soon, I went to the top of the food chain and they couldn’t answer the most basic of questions, couldn’t show rhyme or reason, I almost want to call BS as I’ve found it’s the market that dictates the price, I’ll challenge anyone to show me an actual “Valuation” of opal that is NOT an “Evaluation”, an evaluation is a price given as a replacement cost for insurance purposes and in no way specifies the actual stone value. I’m infuriated by the lack of leadership on this subject. I’d like to say something positive about this opal, but let’s say I put it up for auction and for some reason it fetched a high price due to many people bidding the price up, the very next day everyone would be putting their prices up. It truly comes down to your opinion as to whether you like an opal or not, from there its whatever category your taste lands in that’ll determine if you have an expensive taste. I’d basically class this opal as honey opal, this explains the body tone colouration, from there it’s down to supply/demand and how much you know about each. 🤪👍

[@ccccarriemchardy9216]

It will be interesting to see if it remains stable and doesn't Crack.

[@Opaldigger]

Was thinking the same as honey is the only known Andamooka that can crack.

[@theopalmills]

It’s seems quite stable, clean enough to see into so should find out in the next couple of months. I’ve not had any issues with any Andamooka opal cracking up with no real sign of why, like some Coober Pedy material can, matrix yes, I’ve had some matrix break up due to unforeseen flaws and cracks you find once you’ve sliced in. I’ll do an update in a couple of months. 🤪👍

[@Opaldigger]

@@theopalmillsI’d say with confidence that Andamooka doesn’t craze at all. The only material I’ve seen and known from old timers to craze from there is ‘some’ honey or amber potch. Not to say all! This is very likely stable. Love Andamooka! If it wasn’t so bloody hard to find we’d probably be digging there!

[@anthonymcclain6475]

Do you know wthe black specs are? Maybe tree bark or other organic material? Just curious 🤔

[@theopalmills]

Black sand inclusions.

[@anthonymcclain6475]

Where do I get that big ass bit you were using???! The 600 grit..

[@theopalmills]

Gemcuts, but they only sell to Australia. 🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️