How to Treat Opal with Sugar and Heat. Matrix Opal and Fairy Opal

[@victoryoneable]

Thanks for this. I didn't know there are methods that don't require acid, so it's a relief to know there are easier ways.

[@RoysRocks]

Yeah I wouldn't say easier the acid is actually pretty easy just corrosive. Easier to get the material required though.

[@victoryoneable]

@@RoysRocks Yes, by 'easier' I mean less faffing around buying rubber gloves and masks and chemicals and remembering whether to use a plastic or glass container. This one I can do with everyday household items. How about making a video buying guide to matrix and fairy opal? I can't get a grip on how some vendors are pricing this stuff. But it seems to be getting more expensive all the time.

[@tonyvandijk4339]

Nice results. I got some promising fairyopal waiting, so I am stoked for this series. Particularly about stabilising and potentially using a vacuum chamber. Thanks for putting in the effort to teach us.

[@RoysRocks]

Its fun stuff to play with so if you get to work and cut it up by the time you are done I should have a few treatment options up here for you.

[@theocarter1714]

Nice! Looking forward to the rest of the project! Very cool!

[@RoysRocks]

Its gunna be a long one but hopefully interesting and useful.

[@debadams5676]

Fantastic Roy, I love that you bring the scientific method to your investigations!

[@RoysRocks]

Well this might be another PhD in the making with the list of tests I have to get done.

[@debadams5676]

@@RoysRocks And it would be so well cited!

[@bbisyy4u]

Very interesting series. I really enjoy compare and contrast methods. In the end you could publish your results. I think it would make a great book.

[@RoysRocks]

I'm already writing up the modern day equivalent of a book to put up on the website. Maybe if I can collect a bunch of good quality photos I could put something in print.

[@nancycurtis7315]

Thanks Roy. My vacuum chamber will have many uses, I think!😊

[@RoysRocks]

I'll show off the vacuum chamber way of doing this soon. It can be a bit better but a little more work.

[@JackAdlam]

Awesome video and great timing i have a bunch of andamooka matrix I need to get stuck into and will be watching eagerly

[@RoysRocks]

Nice. I should have a few more on the way in no time. Maybe even the acid option before xmas. Just trying to decide on release order.

[@karenjones7111]

Thank you so much for this. ✌️♥️♥️

[@RoysRocks]

No worries Karen, many more like it to come.

[@Scarlet_Soul]

You just have to remember not to eat the tasty rock candy afterwards

[@RoysRocks]

True. Very tasty

[@VS-q]

Cool. I treated mine (from Opalton) with sugar and sprayed with clear coat. Looking forward to seeing how you’re going to do the finish..

[@RoysRocks]

There may be a spray option in the list...

[@dcallan812]

Interesting video 2x👍

[@RoysRocks]

Thanks just one of many. Got the simple one done first.

[@jeffholmes1362]

Nice job Roy. The oven baking is safest, but I have found using sulfuric acid does give a much better treatment.. they will need retreatment after cabbing, but great. Look forward to what stabilisation you use

[@RoysRocks]

These ones won't be getting cabbed, just display tiles. Acid is nice and should be up next.

[@Udgaard01]

Exciting topic

[@dustyblueberry3313]

If this is the first lesson, 2025 is shaping up to be an extremely interesting year, and I can't wait! 😁

[@RoysRocks]

First of many but in the end I am hoping one method of treating and stabilising comes out on top so really should end up as just one useful summary video in the end.

[@dustyblueberry3313]

@RoysRocks well, Thank you for all your hard work on, all things opal, regardless how you deliver it! 😊

[@OpalAuctions53Frogs]

Yes! Roy's Breaking Bad Rocks of 2025. Get stuck in :)

[@RoysRocks]

You'd know this method better than me but I promise some real mad scientist stuff coming right up surrounding stabilization.

[@OpalAuctions53Frogs]

@@RoysRocks With Hard Andamooka yeah maybe but not Fairy. I spent months in the shop trying to find a method to stabilise and polish it that I am super happy with. Grids and grids of blanks just like the ones that you have there with different stabilisers, times, methods, temperatures. I did make a lot of progress but still not where I want to be. I think it is totally possible to have a perfect finish on fairy that its not pitted and without that synthetic liquid glass exterior that is traditionally used with this material. I found so many ways not to do it. Starboard thick/thin/black etc, opticon, HXTAL, all manner of UV resin types, marine resins, lapidary resins, 330/acetone , vacuum chambers, mason jars and cactus juice, and a bunch of stuff from some Indian cutters that I couldn't even pronounce. Off all of the people working it, I think Agus is getting the best results. His fairy stones are damn near perfect and I dont think it has much to do with the stabiliser but rather how he uses it. All very secret of course for commercial reasons and I can understand that.

[@charleslatre1436]

Making opal candy 😂😂

[@RoysRocks]

Pretty much. I have overshot before and essentially made toffee rocks... should have had it on a dop stick

[@ThatOpalGuy]

Me, making morning toast

[@RoysRocks]

Haha I just did that... at 1130. I love my raisin toast at any time of day.

[@coreymerrill3257]

Most ovens in the USA reach 500° F or higher and that's NOT the boiler ( us broilers typically start at 600° f and go as high as 1000°f with very expensive ceramic element I.R. broilers reaching up to 1800°F ) . Is that regular oven temp still safe at that point ,assuming the slow rises in temp?

[@RoysRocks]

I would have never said the word "broiler". What was used in this video is a slow cooker with a warm setting of 46°C, low of 85°C and high or 100°C. Domestic ovens max temp rating will vary on the manufacturer. Most around here are 240-250°C. I repair laboratory ovens that can go higher but I limit them with a 260°C overtemperature protection to protect the element.