Cutting Queensland Boulder Opal Using Carving Tools

Рет қаралды 17,505

Diverse Opals

Күн бұрын

Пікірлер: 58

@vitali-opal-and-gem Жыл бұрын

Looked at your website and i love your work. Attention to detail. Absolutely beautiful mate

@diverseopalproducts Жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching and your feedback.

@kirklovell9164 11 ай бұрын

Fantastic video! Could not be any clearer, you have got me totally inspired to get stuck in !!!.many thanks from NZ.

@diverseopalproducts 11 ай бұрын

Thank you for watching, and your encouraging feedback.

@denttech2515 6 ай бұрын

Thanks a lot for sharing. I've wondered this for a few years now because it's so similar to carving fire agate. Though FA is quite a bit harder and the color layers are much thinner, I couldn't see why this isn't a common practice. Maybe most people just dont share their methods. Either way, this confirms my new approach to boulder Opal. Much respect. Subbed

@diverseopalproducts 6 ай бұрын

Thank you for your feedback. I am confident this process is transferable to other gemstones, shell, wood, etc. The only difference maybe the use of different abrasive papers or cloth.

@saveriospadone6757 9 ай бұрын

great job , as always

@diverseopalproducts 9 ай бұрын

Thank you for watching. 🙂

@carrenestudio 2 жыл бұрын

Just watched in fascination your carving this opal!!! WOW…your talents and knowledge are pretty amazing! I watch opal hunters on YT all the time! Rough rough way to earn a living! Once you catch the fever…I’m sure it’s so hard to get it out of your system..if ever! Thanks for sharing your work!

@diverseopalproducts 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for subscribing and your encouragement. I am glad this video has been of interest to you. Opal has is surprises and disappointments. We are always learning because every piece is different.

@Ontario_Rockhound 2 жыл бұрын

What a beautiful specimen!!!

@diverseopalproducts 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. The miner did tell me if I was careful I might get a nice surprise. He was right.

@travelermystery63 Жыл бұрын

That was just exellent to watch I an Currently on my third cut of boulder, I have been cutting opal for some time ,and I think boulder is becoming my favourite type to cut, I used to steer clear of it due to the mess and different techniques used to cut and Polish ,but after eventually deciding to give it a go,, it's early days ,,but it may become my favourite type of opal to work with ,it really is beautiful when it works out in your favour, cheers for posting it's really helpful,

@diverseopalproducts Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your feedback. I am glad to hear you are enjoying the experience of cutting boulder opal. Processing each piece can be so rewarding. Although I have shared my methods for cutting, you may develop your own, in time.

@redeyestones3738 3 жыл бұрын

Cheers, braddah. Thanks. Being that I have only cut crystal, white, and 2 little blacks, and never cut boulder, this was much appreciated. The biggest lesson I learned is, when cutting with a blade, cut bit by bit from the outer edge of ironstone and gradually work my way in, so as not to cut into any unpredictable color bars. Good to know.

@diverseopalproducts 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for subscribing and your feedback. Queensland boulder can be a bit unpredictable, as you could see in the video. Just take your time.

@zoinkaboose 2 жыл бұрын

Aloha, @Red Eye Stones where you from brah? Nice wave in your avatar... shot from where (don't tell me Tahiti and make me jealous 🌊)? I love boulder opal and just started cutting/carving some recently. Crazy how the colors will shine bright and within a quick brush of the bur, the colors might disappear. SUPER FUN. Kinda like pulling into a barrel at a surf spot that's not always well groomed/predictable... might make out like a bandit, or might get crushed. Oh and just so I'm not ignoring the video and amazing work shown: MANY MAHALOS FOR THE INFO AND ENJOYMENT! I truly appreciate it, as I'm sure so many have and so many others will in the future. Your video actually motivated me to suck it up and chase a very thin bar in a tiny piece of vegetation kine boulder. I know you mention diamond paste in the video, but I used cerium oxide... is there a good way to get rid of the cerium oxide spots in the host rock after final polish?

@diverseopalproducts 2 жыл бұрын

@@zoinkaboose Thank you for your feedback, quite poetic and well expressed. I have been cutting boulder most of the afternoon. Boulder can be a bit like that, a bit too much pressure and that thin layer of colour disappears. Although I talk about and use diamond paste in the video, I do use a polishing powder called O-Pol. I talk about it in one of my other videos. I like the finish it provides. To get the white out of the surface of the ironstone I use an ultra sonic cleaner. If it is still a bit stubborn use something a toothbrush during the process.

@redeyestones3738 2 жыл бұрын

@@zoinkaboose I'm from Maui, cuz. And if you can't afford an ultrasonic cleaner, and a toothbrush doesn't work out, try a spray nozzle on an air compressor. Just be sure you wear rubber gloves for better grip, so the stone doesn't go flying across da room and catch chips

@redeyestones3738 2 жыл бұрын

@@zoinkaboose the wave is actually a secret spot.

@Kerrsartisticgifts Жыл бұрын

That turned out beautifully and I was very surprised to see how all that colour was in there. I bought a little piece of boulder matrix and I was wondering if you can get all the iron stone off the opal in that type of piece? I think it looks good but it has so much ironstone that it doesn't have a bar to look at.

@diverseopalproducts Жыл бұрын

Thanks for your feedback. As this piece had a relatively straight bar of opal sandwiched in between soft ironstone it was pretty straight forward. Just needed to take it slow. Boulder matrix is very different, opal starting, stopping. Weaving in and out of the ironstone. In most cases people cut matrix into cabochons. It's safer than chasing full colour. I wish you success which ever process you decide.

@jamiemctainsh3267 2 жыл бұрын

Very inspiring thank you.

@diverseopalproducts 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your encouragement.

@giorgioclavelli1757 9 ай бұрын

Really enjoed this video. Liked & subscribed 🙂

@diverseopalproducts 9 ай бұрын

Thank for subscribing. Your feedback is appreciated.

@calebh6115 Жыл бұрын

Instead of rubber abrasives can you use nova diamond tips? I know you must work wet with them but does it do the same job? I'm really trying to do exactly what you're doing I have tons and tons of boulder opal but no real guidance with it. Just always looking for help. Thanks for your help

@diverseopalproducts Жыл бұрын

Thanks for your question. Not all boulder needs to be processed in the same manner. I only use rubber points when areas of the surface cannot be reached by my 4 1/2" sander and although I dry sand some of you may use 4", 6" or 8" Nova wheels. I cannot comment on the use of Nova diamond tips compared to rubber points as I have never used them due to my choice to work dry. If you have a lot of boulder to process you need to explore all options.

@calebh6115 Жыл бұрын

Hi there, I was just wondering if you were to cut boulder wet would you have any tips? Is the process about the same?

@diverseopalproducts Жыл бұрын

Thanks for your question. The same methods I use in this video will work with water but you may have a problem with the leather backing when it gets wet and to a lesser degree the abrasive paper. Someone left a comment suggesting the leather be soaked in hot wax. I haven't tried it because I work dry but it does sound like it might work.

@calebh6115 Жыл бұрын

@@diverseopalproducts thank you so much for the response! And I will definitely take that into consideration.

@jakewelford Ай бұрын

How much did it sell for and how much can one charge per carot for boulder opal

@diverseopalproducts Ай бұрын

Thanks for watching and for your question. We did not sell this opal. We still have it. Selling boulder opal per carat can be a little tricky, especially if there is a lot of ironstone on the back and if its a stone without a full face of colour. As a guide you can apply the same prices per carat you would for a white or crystal opal. Just keep in mind the colour, amount (if it covers the face) and brightness of the opal.

@Ratkill 2 жыл бұрын

I understand that exposing more of the opal is more desirable and thus has the most value, but I personally prefer the aesthetics of flat cuts with slivers and matrices. If I cut my boulder opals that way, am I ruining them?

@diverseopalproducts 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your question. Cutting a gemstone of any type is your own decision. We all have our own way of doing it. Personally I like to present as much colour as possible but at times there may not be enough colour. So, I try to orientate the stone in such away as to balance colour with ironstone. I say, cut it the way you think best. :-)

@olegpetelevitch4443 2 жыл бұрын

I got the Fordome SR !

@diverseopalproducts Жыл бұрын

Cable drive? Should develop a lot of torque, I think.

@bubbleox8631 2 жыл бұрын

That’s why you always make your way in from the perimeter BEFORE the decision and always work with running water

@diverseopalproducts 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing.

@willsautoparts4165 3 жыл бұрын

well made! thanks for it

@diverseopalproducts 3 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it!

@jessrose2274 Жыл бұрын

Gold?

@christigould9829 2 жыл бұрын

Do you have a website of prices for tools?

@diverseopalproducts 2 жыл бұрын

If you look in the description area just below the video you will find the links for most of the tools. We are still working on the supply of some of the tools. In one our soon to be future videos we will talk about making some of your own tools.

@SergioPerez-p9m Жыл бұрын

no lo quiero romper para ver vetas de color porque es un fósil, solo le saco un poco para que se puea ver el animalito ya que estaba cuvierto de ópalo mas lechoso