Forty Year Old Rough Opal - Its time is up. I'm going to cut it!

After forty years in a safe, the time has come to cut this rough opal.
This Coober Pedy rough cut is 40 years in the making.
Join me as I navigate this cut - will I slice it up into many smaller gems as I initially intended or do I go for one big crystal opal?
Let me know your thoughts on the end result in the comments, thanks for watching!
To buy our gems. They are on our website for sale below
blackopaldirect.com
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Thanks for watching :)
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[@codyosborne9307]

I could never afford even the cheapest of opals you offer. But sometimes... I just sit for hours scrolling through them to look at how beautiful they are.

[@taveesakvitayakan1297]

Me too.

[@chrisberry9017]

Try rothink of it this way, you never actually’own’ anything, you are simply its custodian during your lifetime, then it continues on its journey to give joy to others. By watching Justin’s channel, you have the opportunity to enjoy all the beautiful stones that he cuts. What a delight!

[@santashahadley5916]

I am with you on that and Opal is my birthstone. They are so beautiful and yes I can spend hours just sitting here watching videos on Opal. 💜👑

[@78LedHead]

It's always a good day when Justin shares his craft with the world. This channel should have a million + subs. Uncovering the beauty of opal helps soothe the soul in a world full of war.

[@muttzzeemoon4601]

You may say the ground opal is just mud but someone in the make up industry could mix it with essential oils and shea butter and sell it as "Opal Scrub" (for that opalescent glow) $50 per 8 oz tub......😂 LMFAO

[@zoe-leesweeny8625]

Its a little dry on my skin..ive considered this and have alot of the clay n mud

[@nobodyhome8148]

Awesome ! ....... A ring, 2 earrings and a pendant all from one mother stone ......... LOVE that !

[@hoilst265]

Or two rings, or a add a brooch or tie pin onto that...

[@glenjones5416]

No one's reruns are as delightful as yours. All the same feelings every time. Wonderful!! Thanks Maestro!!! 😍🙏

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you Glen

[@glenjones5416]

@@blackopaldirect Sir,, you are most welcome. I am 75 and it is my profound hope to grind opals, and meet you at Tucson's gem show.

[@MsrKSDisque]

I appreciate how you enjoy the "Little Gems".

[@raymondbabb1970]

I mean, Crystal Opal Direct isn't a bad business name either. Absolutely magmotional.

[@blackopaldirect]

Glad you like it! haha

[@johnc.hammersticks]

Old opal stock looks amazing, 40 years this stone waited to be cut and polished by you Justin. That color is incredible I love crystal opal!!

[@wendyspicer8588]

I hope you bought lots of opal like this piece. Crystal opal is the best.

[@ann-or6ev]

I think it's nearly time to have another detailed look at your "beaten by sand" table❤

[@johnhiggs325]

It never ceases to amaze me that you can pull such beautiful pieces out of such plain looking chunks of rock.

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you

[@nhojcam]

i think you meant to say...4 billion year old rough. nice stones, Justin! thanks again. p.s. - i used to be a faceter back in the day. i stopped being able to find good rough, so i sold ALL my equipment. now, i live vicariously through you. keep up the good work.

[@blackopaldirect]

That's very cool to hear!

[@shippamfamily6673]

Stonkingly beautiful crystals. I always wince and hold my breath when you do the cutting wheel!

[@amberandrews6842]

Me too!

[@HanoverFiste001]

Love watching you cut stones. Never realized how bad my A.D.D is until I was yelling at the screen " How can you miss that corner? " LOL. Thanks for the Entertainment...

[@blackopaldirect]

lol

[@craftinghome]

I LOVE gemstones, but there's just no comparison to opal. You could line up a dozen sapphires that have the same colour, cut, clarity, but opals are so uniquely beautiful and special. Seeing the gorgeous colours glowing from those stones is awesome, especially when there are flashes of my favourite colour... purple 💜

[@steveclark4291]

Thank you Justin for sharing these beautiful Opals with me ! To watch you bring their beauty out of them is amazing !

[@blackopaldirect]

My pleasure!!

[@W.MOpals]

Fantastic results, the slice was an expert decision, love watching and hearing your thought process. Wishing you the best from the UK mate :)

[@blackopaldirect]

Thanks so much!

[@nancycurtis7315]

Thank you for the opportunity of seeing such beautiful gems. Greetings from Dimboola, in Victoria, Australia 🇦🇺 😊.

[@blackopaldirect]

Our pleasure! Nancy

[@ThatOpalGuy]

I came, he found it, he ground it. The thing here is, people WOULD probably buy your opal mud. As for the results of the rough session: wow, just WOW. Not only do you give me inspiration for cutting, you provide inspiration for making my videos. Thank you, Justin and BOD.

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you

[@shk2564]

Sometimes it is better to be lucky than good but you are the best and lucky too it seems! Love you mate! ❤

[@blackopaldirect]

You're the best!

[@sanco511]

Such a master in gem cutting. Thank you for sharing. ❤

[@blackopaldirect]

Wow, thank you!

[@1rawdawg007]

Its amazing watching you coax that trapped beauty out of those rocks ! Thanks so much for the treats

[@blackopaldirect]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@bucksalau1806]

what a collection of stunning opals

[@tymeryder7264]

Well done! Releasing beauty must be rewarding. Always a joy to see.

[@blackopaldirect]

It really is!

[@jenniferbailey2214]

Wow, looks so different than darker opal, looks pretty tricky, good job👏👏👏

[@suepeer3078]

You have crazy mad skills as a gem cutter.

[@susansprouse1023]

Those are simply beautiful. Congratulations!

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@jenniferlehman326]

Absolutely stunning Crystal Opals, Justin!! In all of them the colour is just amazingly bright and clear!! Beautiful!! Your friend, the Retired Paramedic and Horse Trainer in Ontario, Canada, Jenn 💖 🇨🇦

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@amandadonegan2137]

That cushion cut was stunning.

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you

[@amberandrews6842]

So beautiful! I also love crystal opal. It's so beautiful. These are really nice with so much color! Thank You for sharing!

[@lorenrobertson8039]

Lovely way to start my day! Beautiful opal and you did it justice. Very nice works of art Justin!

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you

[@sandmaker]

Loved the story, loved the stone and loved all the cuts. Thanks for sharing.

[@blackopaldirect]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@steveramsey1337]

Awesome video fix for my opal addiction! That is a bright stone. Thanks dude for that!

[@blackopaldirect]

Any time!

[@N0013Scientist]

wooow, what a legenday story! to imagine "bags of this rough in a safe"... omg! gonna have a heartattack, hahaha!

[@daverupes7022]

What a treat to get that old stock from a big rough lot someone kept for all these years! Simply amazing results from your choices of cuts and grinding 🎉🎉🎉

[@blackopaldirect]

Yes it was!

[@jenniferbailey2214]

Wow, looks so different than darker opal, looks pretty tricky, good job👏👏👏 Oh my guy, when you cut it opened it looks amazing!!!!

[@chellevl9209]

A ring, a pendant and 2 earings! Matched set in platinum settings perhaps? So pretty!!!

[@YesItsTom2U]

It's always a pleasure watching you cut gems. Thank you!

[@blackopaldirect]

Thanks again!

[@RosetheSilvermuse]

The square cut is beautiful, even if shy behind the blue. The lge. One is very nice and I wouldn't kick any of them, out of the house. Love them.

[@blackopaldirect]

Thanks for sharing!

[@nancypiros9133]

Getting to cut a 40 yr old crystal opal was amazing to watch Justin! So glad you were able to cut all the pieces so fabulously! Gorgeous work as always ❣️

[@blackopaldirect]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@liquidelectrum]

Your skill never ceases to amaze me and everybody else… the shape and finish is exquisite. Seeing the perfection in this video reminds me why you are so damn good. Thanks mate.

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you

[@OPALSRUS]

Click here if you love opals! ⬇️

[@eh1702]

A clicked. A year ago I didn’t even know what an opal is!

[@user-mg6il8uk3t]

Watching you work is so relaxing.

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@joshwasereyesterday]

the mud is fantastic for fertilizing your fruit trees!

[@yvonnemccarthy4957]

Crystal is my favorite, as well.

[@tameracole7714]

You inspire me💕 I’m an opal / stone cutter from California, years ago I traded two big parcels one of misc black opal one of white crystal with opalized clam and muscle shells some are very close to this one you cut👍 thank you for everything

[@lloydbellis7360]

That was really cool. 11k is not to be sneezed at. Great job from one stone. 😎😎😎👍👍👍

[@Ozai75]

*Absolute* Stunners, the lot of them. Good lord Justin.

[@vortexgen1]

The 2 small gems would make very nice pair of earrings. Way to maximize the rough into gems.

[@user-ud6ej5kb6k]

This crystal opal has such a magical appearance, the nostalgia it gives me when I look at it is like being taken back to when I was just a boy, when everything seemed to possess some sort of magic. I guess because everything was new and mysterious. Thank you Justin, I owe you one for that!

[@kyzercube]

The total amount added up is more than the price of a good used truck so yeah, that's nice scratch! 👍

[@user-kb3nb5jd5k]

Such beautiful stones hooked on opals ❤

[@elizabethprost]

The thing I love about you is the same thing I love about my dad, who happens to be a geologist….after godknows how many years, you still absolutely LOVE what you do. It’s a never ending fascination. It’s so magical to see

[@thenodiggardener]

Gorgeous set. Rumpelstiltskin may have spun gold from straw, but it's much better watching Justin cut crystal Opals from rocks.

[@mattculverhouse8683]

Lovely vid, as always, mate. It's a privilege that you take us on this wonderful journey with you to show us the magic inside these stones 👍

[@christinechildress5021]

You make my Mondays special! Beautiful gem’s Justin. Looking forward to a live show!❤BOD

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you Christine. glad you will be at the LIVE

[@su-ux9tp]

I completely understand your soft spot.🎉

[@Motorsportqueen]

what an amazing kalidascope of colour in the opal you cut in this video...thank you for sharing this beautiful gem.

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@susandevoe6002]

Beautiful job, beautiful stones!!! Well done, Justin!!!!!

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you so much Susan

[@Jo-yp8wy]

A joy as always. Thank you.

[@kam70111]

Wow! Beautiful gems, Justin. Congratulations.

[@1catfishuntermiller753]

Hiya Justin, awesome video and WOW just WOW! So beautiful they're so colorful, you did a magnificent job mate, I love crystal opals, those are very beautiful stones. I can't say enough about them. I hope you have a awesome blessed day. Cheers! Cya! 😺🐟 out!

[@insolentstickleback3266]

Outstanding gems liberated from the mother stone! ❤️

[@Themindfultruths]

Amazing display of color in those gems! thanks for sharing this journey with us!!!

[@blackopaldirect]

Our pleasure!

[@user-mg6il8uk3t]

Beautiful opals, as expected, as always!!!

[@CrimFerret]

When you showed both halves after the slice the piece on the right was really nice but the one on the left was just amazing. Those color layers at different depths in the opal were breathtaking. all of those stones were amazing at the end. It was obvious you were pushing hard to get every last quality gem out of that and did.

[@karlahall9058]

Fantastic video Justin!!!! Thank you for sharing. They are so beautiful!!!❤😊

[@blackopaldirect]

Glad you like them!

[@helendreyer5710]

Stunning gems! Always a joy to watch

[@bethterry4943]

It's amazing that you can take a pretty rock and turn it into absolutely stunning opals. I'm now hooked on opals and your videos. 😊

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you so much! and sorry you now have opal fever

[@julieannejoolz]

It always amazes me how you can make such beautiful stones into something magical..I love watching you work. It's so fascinating Justin. Thanks for sharing. ❤️🩷🧡💛💚💙🩵🤎

[@jeffpuglisi8204]

Your videos are so relaxing and enjoyable. Thank you

[@costrio]

I'd call that beautiful stone, "Starry NIght" I saw a small red flash like a comet on the back side and the front side is like a large nebula cloud, up close. Beautiful stone, nice work. Get well soon.

[@blackopaldirect]

Cheers mate

[@lizarrrdbeth]

Oh sigh....this stone is exquisite. The colors are magnificent!!! Wow..I'd love to see them in person. Better yet in a ring on my finger!!! Big smile....must have been cool to have cut that!!!

[@blackopaldirect]

You and me both!

[@viridiangreen8259]

Loved this episode Justin - exceptional gems

[@stephaniebray3983]

That is so beautiful inside!

[@exidy-yt]

It's been a while since I've watched you cut an opal, Justin (thank KZbin) and let me say you haven't lost your touch! The new working area looks utterly fantastic and this rough crystal you turned into all those little gems was masterclass work. Good to see you again!

[@lexpop6396]

Magic Justin 👌 Thanks to the old timer for letting you share that with us 🙏

[@kathybrandt6060]

They are incredibly beautiful. You are truly an artist. Thank you for letting us watch you work.

[@corylane3637]

I love watching your videos. I've learned so much about reading the opal from you and I greatly appreciate the free knowledge.

[@blackopaldirect]

You are so welcome

[@bentationfunkiloglio]

Those gems are just so beautiful! Love the shapes. In particular, I'm a huge fan of cushion cuts.

[@rindapelton5876]

Absolutely Gorgeous! Thanks 🤗🤠

[@joanrieser2580]

Watching your videos always takes me away to another place where I can watch, listen to your calm voice and enjoy the beautiful colors of opals. Thank you ❤

[@greatplainsman3662]

You my friend are a true craftsman...so appreciate what you do.

[@carolinepotts5448]

How beautiful!

[@BLynnE]

The quality of the video’s have been excellent; kudos to whoever is the editor :) I’m not only learning a whole lot about opal and opal mining, I’m being entertained by creative and entertaining videos.

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you that would be me

[@ulrikaholmquist140]

Magical stones just beautiful 😊

[@jameslund2658]

Justin is never about the money. The journey is and the adventure or problems solving that it truly takes is the only reason. That's why they call them hobbies and games

[@thomasloanwolf]

Absolutely gorgeous stones, I always enjoy watching you make one of a kind works of art. After a long day at work, watching your videos is very relaxing. And I continue to learn more and more from you. Thank you.

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you so much 😀

[@arthurjones9580]

Absolutely beautiful!

[@alghazzali3543]

Beautiful kala !!!

[@kimetherington2252]

Absolutely fabulous!

[@DavidMckinney-mn5se]

You are the Master at cutting opal,Kiddos Justin ❤😊

[@terryohlerking8939]

You are such a gifted artist, I love to watch you work!❤

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you so much 😀

[@glz1]

BEST GEM IN THE WORLD

[@blackopaldirect]

Agreed

[@user-qj2ng1cg5w]

What's another few years - after all, it's been in the ground for a few million years! Well Worth the Wait - thanks for sharing with the World! ❤ THe new 'rebranding' - Although COD doesn't quite have the same ring as BOD😊

[@blackopaldirect]

Hahah I love this

[@user-hl6xc8jq8o]

Awesome as always. Glad there was nothing wasted. You make that look easy.😊

[@blackopaldirect]

Thanks again!

[@looseele]

I just found your channel… Opal is not only my birthstone, it is my favorite stone of all time. I'm going to be watching a lot of your videos.

[@blackopaldirect]

Welcome aboard!

[@Gigi-14]

A bouquet of opals 😊

[@nicolemurray-jeffery7433]

Gorgeous stones. Thanks for sharing the cutting journey with us 😊

[@blackopaldirect]

My pleasure 😊

[@susannesamuelsson2930]

So exciting Justin, i do love this! 👋💎👍! Greetings to you all at BOD!

[@blackopaldirect]

Thanks so much!!