Cutting Blue Opals? Is This Cheating?

[@The_Opal_Leprechaun]

Black nail polish works well to test as the marker can be translucent. The polish can be easily removed. Great video as always 👍

[@budklw]

I have used black epoxy on the back of crystal opal many times. I looked it up with the gemology pros online and they say it's acceptable as long as the epoxy could be removed if desired. I believe that means the opal could be a stand alone and not considered a doublet. What I like to do is flatten the backside, semi polish it, then apply the black epoxy before I shape and polish the front. I found it gives me a better edge look. Sure brings out the color that would be lost otherwise, One of my methods to making accurate rounds is to use my dremel tool and 8 penny galvanized nails as dops. The nails fit the dremel collet perfectly and I can spin the opal against my cutter instead of spinning the cutter against my opal. It takes a light touch so too much isn't taken away. I can get them to match my template perfectly this way. Really good video today. Must say I enjoyed the song too!

[@OpalOdyssey-ew9gr]

Good tips. Thanks

[@AusOpal]

That Blue is nice def black dye in a glue nice job with all of them you did good with Lambina little one. There is no issue with doublets it makes it affordable for people who can’t spend money on solid opals. Issue is with dishonest people selling them as opals and not disclosing they are not.

[@crystaleenharris9419]

I’m kinda diggin the blue. I like that it’s different from most of the opals I’ve seen.

[@Teknojok]

Another great vid. Thanks.

[@StephenKnight-ly6pz]

I love blue honey opals something different i would love to see one of these faceted good work 👏