Can we polish opal a bit faster by using this method? The result is impressive.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Thanks for your work and sharing your knowledge. Opals and the working of them is mysterious for many of us in the crystalline gem world. Much appreciated.

[@diverseopalproducts]

Thank you for your feedback and comments, they are appreciated. Its our pleasure to share our knowledge.

[@ThatOpalGuy]

Thanks for posting this technique. It's good to have multiple methods of achieving end results when crafting opals!

[@diverseopalproducts]

Thank you for your feedback. Yes, it can beneficial having options at times.

[@opalusmaximus7713]

I’ve recently been introduced to dry sanding and found it to have incredible results! Especially useful on boulder but all types give some awesome results It’s a whole different technique to learn but with some practice just simply amazing

[@diverseopalproducts]

Thank you for your feedback. For me, dry sanding is part of my normal cutting routine. Just keep in mind the choice of abrasive is important too. Only use good quality. The difference in price will be negligible when you consider the results.

[@opalusmaximus7713]

@@diverseopalproducts i do agree that with certain things it’s far better to spend a little more for maximum results I currently use Hermes abrasive and have been very happy. After reading some of the comments it’s good to know that matador seems to be a fan favorite as well

[@MrsDanaygasta]

@@opalusmaximus7713 Please be careful, the both of ya, with dry sanding. While it works best for me too, silicosis is real. You don't want to be breathing in those tiny particles. It's like inhaling glass. Wear a mask, my friends, while cutting AND cleaning the dust from your shop. And before either of you get annoyed and call me Karen, this is a safety issue and I'm a mom. So wear your mask, wear your seatbelt, wear clean underwear, roll your eyes at me if you want to but I don't want you to learn the hard way. Now go play and have fun.

[@micahmann6967]

❤​@@MrsDanaygasta

[@kirklovell9164]

Awesome result and I reckon I will be able to use your process to great effect! I can't wait to lay my hands on some nice rough to try this out! Thanks for the inspiration mate!!!!!!!.

[@diverseopalproducts]

Thanks for watching and your feedback. I hope you achieve the same results.

[@idonthaveaname42]

i have some

[@V27RV]

Had to come back to your videos for guidance Once again,thank you for sharing your knowledge and craftsmanship with us ma good sir

[@diverseopalproducts]

Thank you for coming back. Its good to hear our videos are of help to you.

[@edrobinson518]

Hi Robert, I have been doing similar, difference being I use a rubber backing disc with velcro hooks attached with felt glued to the back of wet and dry paper of the same grits as you are using. Benefit I find is there is no screw head protruding.

[@diverseopalproducts]

Hello Ed, thanks for your feedback and comments. I have considered a similar way of attaching the disc.

[@jeffholmes1362]

500th sub, thanks for sharing and congrats on reaching 500

[@diverseopalproducts]

Thanks for your feedback and becoming our 500th subscriber.

[@ThatOpalGuy]

We need to get Robert past 10k, and then keep going!

[@redeyestones3738]

i can vouch for Matador sandpaper as well. Great friggen procuct. been using it for woodwork for years.

[@diverseopalproducts]

Thanks for affirming Matador sandpaper. Its has been a great help to me and a number of my regular customers who had been struggling to get results with other brands of wet and dry.

[@redeyestones3738]

@@diverseopalproducts probably the best. It's definitely my go to sandpaper brand.

[@ThatOpalGuy]

I bought 3m wet/dry when I started my opal crafting journey/obsession. Maybe I made a mistake? However, since I transitioned to dremel nova burrs ans sintered bits I haven't touched the sandpaper much.

[@redeyestones3738]

@@ThatOpalGuy in my experience, the difference between 3m wet/dry and matador is miles apart. With the 3m paper, grit is always popping off the sheet, and causing scratch marks, where as the matador sanding cloth is bonded is such a way that grit never comes off. Not sure how they do it, but it's like a sandpaper equivalent of a sintered burr, or wheel. Also, a sheet of matador lasts at leas five times longer, so it ends up saving me money

[@ThatOpalGuy]

@@redeyestones3738 thanks for that clarification. I have noticed the separation of the corundum from the paper on 3M. And yes, cross contamination is a huge problem, one I learned the hard way, which is why I stopped using sandpaper. Perhaps I will try some matador as this process seems fairly fast and easy and may be better, in certain circumstances, than my traditional felt tip and cerium oxide.

[@luisgomez385]

That's what I used to do before I got cabbing machine. But I got an adapter which uses velcro.

[@diverseopalproducts]

Thanks for your feedback. Good to see others have used this method.

[@laodejufri9259]

Saya sangat terhibur dg opals dan sangat berpengalaman untuk polish opals.terimakasih master

[@diverseopalproducts]

Sorry for my late reply. Thank you for watching our videos and your kind feedback.

[@bentationfunkiloglio]

Really great idea! I will definitely try a version of this myself.

[@diverseopalproducts]

Thanks for your feedback. Let us know how your version turns out.

[@tnpyro5081]

A little off subject from this video, but I’m trying to polish a piece of Queensland matrix Boulder opal, and it’s the ironstone I’m having trouble getting polished. Any suggestions?

[@diverseopalproducts]

Thank you for your feedback and question. I would recommend tin oxide as a polish keeping in mind the pre polish is important too. If you don't have tin oxide, you can dry finish with Matador silicon carbide paper. I normally finish about #3000 grit.

[@tnpyro5081]

@@diverseopalproducts thank you for the reply. I think I have a really good prefinish, and I’ve used the 3000 grit and then tried cerium oxide and 50,000 grit diamond paste. Maybe it’s just the stone, I haven’t cut a lot of boulders.

[@diverseopalproducts]

@@tnpyro5081 I have never had success with cerium on ironstone.

[@tdarons]

@@diverseopalproducts damn I just bought some cerium oxides as it was recommended on a black opal direct video. Arggghh. I too am having trouble polishing a piece of boulder opal. I used polishing papers to 8000 grit but they have only polished up the ironstone. Someone also recommended I buy 50K diamond polish from Rio grande so I see that you used that to good affect. I may need to buy some of that also.

[@diverseopalproducts]

​@@tdarons Thank you for your comments and order. You should have success with the cerium on the opal, but for some reason we find that the cerium takes the polish off the ironstone. From experience, using grades finer than #1200 in paper, on opal, did not achieve much. If your opal has a lot of ups and downs close together on the surface, you may need to rely on diamond or rubber abrasive points and felt with diamond paste. If the surface is more open and flat you may have success using the disc system we talk about in "Can We Polish Opal A Bit Faster Using This Method" I hope you get it sorted.

[@pkgoldopalhunting]

great info great looking stone

[@diverseopalproducts]

Thank you once again for your feedback. The has some nice features.

[@Leafbinder]

How much did you sell the stone for? love the DIY video might try it on some of my roughs.

[@diverseopalproducts]

Thank you for your feedback. Still have the stone, haven't put it up for sale. Hope you have success using this method of processing opal.

[@jencapaldi420]

Nice info. Maybe I'll try this way once I'm more familiar with my rotary tool & the Ethiopian opal I've been working with. I'm have to figure out a way to work it wet, though. The wax & leather suggestion from another comment might work. Thanks for the video!

[@diverseopalproducts]

Thank you for watching. I hope you have success.

[@jessicadorlac]

How long did it take for this stone? How many stones can be done with one kit? This method is faster than the diamond bit? Will the diamond bits last longer though? Thanks for the great video!

[@diverseopalproducts]

Thanks for your question and positive feedback. From the start of the video to the the end of the polishing, I would say it took 15-20 minutes. I spent a bit of extra time taking ironstone out of the surface which made the process a bit longer. The number of stones you can process from this kit depends on the size of each stone and how flat the stone is to start with but I would say 10-20 stones. The leather, mandrels, diamond paste and felts will last some time. If you think you will be doing a lot of stones, you can buy the extra abrasive discs. I'm am not too sure which diamond bit you are referring to when you asked if it is faster. Diamond is the most durable abrasive and will last a long time.

[@stephenraczkowski]

Awesome video. Definitely going to give this a go.

[@diverseopalproducts]

Thank you, hope you have the same success.

[@jenniecreighton7572]

I'm going to give this a go! how do you achieve the smooth edge surface where the sides meet the face without messing up the face?

[@diverseopalproducts]

Thanks for your question. While the disc is turning , run it along the edge where the sides and top meet. Hold your tool at a 45 degree angle to achieve this. Use finer grades then polish.

[@jenniecreighton7572]

Thank you!

[@ThatOpalGuy]

And, as with all things: practice will make your final results more perfect. Good luck!

[@drfill9210]

Yep, done something similar. Just added sandpaper to a standard cutting bit. That worked OK. Easiest method I know is to clamp the dremel, use a diamond saw and manoeuvre the opal around the saw. Works a treat

[@diverseopalproducts]

Thanks for your feedback. I use both methods but I tend to use the fixed head method on larger pieces.

[@ThatOpalGuy]

My dremel is held by my Manfrotto tripod. As I don't use an extension for the bit I decided this was the best way to avoid possible electrocution by a clumsy act

[@CanyonArchaic]

This would be great for Welo.

[@diverseopalproducts]

I don't work with Welo but this technique can be used with other mediums. I hope you have success.

[@jaynerichards7527]

What about the white cloud?

[@lobo524]

Could you possibly put the opal on a dop, and put the dop in a vice to hold it? Prevent injury, even that small.

[@diverseopalproducts]

Thanks for your question. Yes, its a good idea to dop small stones and secure the dop to work around the stone. We do that from time to time.

[@Starcrystal26]

Hi Robert, I've just come across your channel today and enjoyed watching some of your informative videos - thank you! I'm new to rock polishing but I haven't used a hand held rotary tool yet and I'd like to get one. Do you have any recommendations? People rave about Dremels, are they the way to go or are the cheaper brands just as good or worth avoiding? Any advice for a newbie would be much appreciated, thank you? 😊

[@diverseopalproducts]

Thanks for watching our videos, your feedback and question. A lot of people use Dremel because they are readily available. There is nothing wrong with them. All drills are useful to some degree, it just depends on what you expect. Try and get a model of drill with sufficient torque that will not stall under too much pressure. Torque is a helpful when polishing. I hope this has helped.

[@Starcrystal26]

@diverseopalproducts thanks for the advice!

[@robertothenice3264]

Quanto costa una pietra del genere?

[@JWBrewer73]

Is the milky potch integral with the color on one end, or does it sit above it?

[@diverseopalproducts]

Thanks for your question. The milky potch is interwoven with the colour.

[@ThatOpalGuy]

Yeah, sadly it's color in the potch. Still a beautiful stone.

[@jay8353]

I've used this process for years on other rocks ,I have always been a but gunshy to use it on opal. Also I use the wet method. Thanks for sharing though

[@diverseopalproducts]

Thank you for your feedback. I can understand your concern but I believe if you are using a quality silicon carbide abrasive and change when it becomes worn, you may avoid damaging the opal.

[@jay8353]

@@diverseopalproducts well it's definitely worth a Crack, thanks for the reply 👍

[@undscvrdopngms]

I put sticky tack on my screws so no scraping

[@diverseopalproducts]

That's a good idea. Normally the screws don't scratch the opal but leave a small metal deposit on the surface, a bit like a pencil mark. This usually comes off during the next stage.

[@annettevoss5990]

Hi, how much polishing paste do you use? Do you put it directly onto the stone or apply it to the felt tip?

[@diverseopalproducts]

Thanks for your question. The amount is relative to the size of the stone. Start out with an amount the size of a grain of rice. Spread it evenly across the stone and a little on the felt. Start on one side and systematically work your way across the stone. If you have done your pre-polish stages correctly you should have a high polish.

[@annettevoss5990]

Wonderful, thanks for the quick reply. Can’t wait to get the kit in the mail so I can start cleaning up some opal stones 😁

[@scottcoltzau1532]

So whats better though water or dry polishing cos doesnt or can't it burn out the colour of the opal if not wet

[@diverseopalproducts]

Thanks for your question and watching our video. Removing colour and pattern by dry sanding is a misconception. The worst that can happen is cracking the stone. Experience, then common sense should prevail. Sand/abrasive paper wears out as do all abrasives. If you don't change the paper at the correct time you may experience something called orange peel. The surface of the opal looks like the skin of an orange. If you choose to dry sand, you will learn through experience when to change the paper, and don't forget to wear a mask.

[@camelotcandle]

I have a bunch of raw opals most of them have dirt or sand on them & when I started to remove it I'm losing the color flash as I call it. Can you please help me?????????

[@diverseopalproducts]

Thanks for question. Can you tell me if the opal is from Australia or Ethiopia also know as Welo opal?

[@camelotcandle]

@diverseopalproducts I'm not positive I think Australia

[@camelotcandle]

@@diverseopalproducts but I do have 1 Ethiopian water opal

[@diverseopalproducts]

Ok, I can't comment on Ethiopian opal as I don't work with it. It's hard to advise you, without seeing the opal you are having a problem with but as a guess, it may be a case of you going through the colour. The larger surface of the opal is often chosen as the top or side that will face up. From the side of that face, you should see colour, maybe in layers or bars. Looking at this helps you decide how much I can grind away from the top. If the bar or bars of colour are thin, grind slowly with finer grades to make sure you don't lose the colour. I hope you have success.

[@martinbowra9152]

Thanks for sharing always good to show alternative methods. Which micromotor are you using

[@diverseopalproducts]

Thanks for your feedback. I am using a Marathon micromotor hand piece coupled to an Artus 2000 control box.

[@calebh6115]

Love your videos man

[@diverseopalproducts]

Thank you. Your feedback is appreciated.

[@cba1424]

Is the diamond paste oil or water based please ?

[@diverseopalproducts]

Thanks for your question. All of our diamond paste is water based.

[@cba1424]

@@diverseopalproducts Thankyou I’ve tried with the oil based but most likely it’s the cheap stuff needless to say it didn’t really have any effect! I’ll check out your site cheers :)

[@diverseopalproducts]

@@cba1424 Depends a little on what you expect it to do. Oil or water based should not make too much difference, unless the material you are working on is porous. Our diamond paste is the highest concentration our supplier will produce.

[@ryanharwood5086]

How much are the kits you are selling please?

[@diverseopalproducts]

Thanks for your question. All information relating to this video can be found in the description.

[@judygofton1896]

Hi , how much is the kit you put together and how do I order?

[@diverseopalproducts]

It you look below the video, in the description, you will find all the details.

[@Veronica-d3g2j]

Whats the name of this type of Opal is this a Black ridge ?

[@diverseopalproducts]

Thanks for your question. I can't be sure of the specific field but it is Queensland boulder opal. Possibly from Winton.

[@Veronica-d3g2j]

@@diverseopalproducts thank you for your fast response and amazing work you do !

[@diverseopalproducts]

@@Veronica-d3g2j You are most welcome.

[@offyarocka]

AWESOME!!!!! thanks for sharing

[@diverseopalproducts]

Thanks for watching. 🙂

[@diverseopalproducts]

Thanks again for watching.

[@offyarocka]

@@diverseopalproducts I've been using this method a fair bit now and i got some rubber from bunnings to use in place of the leather

[@diverseopalproducts]

@@offyarocka Ok, that's good. Use anything that is flexible and serves the purpose.

[@ROCKINWHEELERS]

Outstanding

[@diverseopalproducts]

Thanks for watching and your feedback.

[@ramonramirez9914]

Very helpful

[@diverseopalproducts]

Thank you for your feedback.

[@jasonspurlock7916]

If you do not use water you better use a respirator. Silicosis is no joke and can kill you. You should not cut opal without water or some other medium to keep dust down.

[@diverseopalproducts]

I couldn't agree more. I have been pushing this point with my regular customers for years. When we restarted our KZbin channel, this was one of the first things I talked about, as you cannot take it lightly. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGi0h4WnoqxoiNE. I try to mention in all of my videos the importance of using a mask whether working wet or dry. Thanks for talking about this.

[@PangeanLovePodcast]

Amazing

[@nielskrog9623]

Thanks.....!! Quick technic....!!

[@diverseopalproducts]

Thank you for your feedback and comments.

[@guyinthesky6696]

As I contemplate taking the plunge into a cabber.,then I find this....oh btw.,I bought a kit👍🏻

[@diverseopalproducts]

Thanks for watching and making a purchase. 🙂

[@DubstepHeroDH]

I sand my stones by hand start with 400 grit end with 15,000 grit. Diamond paste 35,000

[@diverseopalproducts]

Thanks for your feedback. There are many ways to achieve a good finish on opal. I am sure these fine grits would make that possible.

[@alldayeveryday6464]

I want to see the people

[@sanzgems8739]

this method seems quite nice, but i think the risk of breathing the dust in, is way higher... can cause a lot of harm to your lungs, cheers mate🥳

[@diverseopalproducts]

Thank you for your comment. I agree, that is why I say in all my videos wear an appropriate dust mask whether you are working dry or wet.

[@EpicsodeOne]

Amazing video. Thank you. I wish you had larger ones tho.

[@diverseopalproducts]

Thanks for your feedback, its appreciated.

[@EpicsodeOne]

@@diverseopalproducts Let's say I want to order one of these, is there anyway that you can make ones that are a bit larger? I mean, I would love to have both options, of course, the way you cut them determines if that's feasible or not. Much appreciated.

[@EpicsodeOne]

@@diverseopalproducts Also I couldn't find anything on your online store, can you please link me or is there anywhere else I can look? Thanks again.

[@diverseopalproducts]

@@EpicsodeOne Thanks for the follow up. Unfortunately, I am not able to supply any sanding discs larger than 19mm. If you follow the link you will find all items related to the kit. www.ebay.com.au/itm/144527331611

[@EpicsodeOne]

@@diverseopalproducts got it, will go ahead and buy like three of these pakes but do you not have anymore rough for sale? I couldn't find any on your Ebay page.