Looks like a ghost but cut into a gem

[@shelleysteward3041]

Does anyone else hit the like button on the Black Opal Direct feeds before they begin the video because you can count on liking them or is it just me? 🤗

[@amberandrews6842]

Always. I know I will also get so absorbed by it, a new video might start before I click, if I don't do that right away? 😁

[@margaretscott133]

They turned out beautiful 😍

[@alistairmills7608]

Dear Justin, I'm a veteran with Me/CFS Fibromialgia, Lyme, Gulf War Illness and I down regulate pain every day in a far infra red sauna for 40 minutes. Your longer videos are just the right length, very relaxing and tgey halp me almost get into a mefitative brain state which is a really way to start my day. Thank you Justin. Namaste

[@clantonaw]

I love watching you cut and polish opal. Unlike other gems, opal is revealing. There's a surprise within yet to be uncovered with a pattern that has never been seen by human eyes. Like opening a Christmas present. That for me is why I enjoy your channel so much. We get to watch you "open the Christmas present" and reveal the surprise inside. Very rewarding! Thanks for sharing these stones with us Justin!

[@margaretlynch1494]

The colors are so fresh looking! Gorgeous!

[@carinanderson8239]

I really enjoyed this one. I bought a witches hat nobby years ago and asked a local jewelry maker if she could polish it and make a necklace for me. Turns out it was also an upside down one like yours. I told the jeweler I didn’t mind the concave side facing out and she was so excited. She made me the most beautiful baroque pendant. The color was fantastic. The stone was about the size of an American quarter. Sadly it was stolen, but I never will forget the jeweler calling me up so excited when she was polishing the stone. She was really proud of that opal. Thanks for sharing.

[@blackopaldirect]

Im sorry you lost it

[@nathaniachaney-aiello4832]

Isn't it wonderful when our parent/teacher's voices come to us and help us see a solution? Lovely pieces in the end!

[@davidhuber9418]

I love my teachers as well.

[@veryhandymann]

Wow, those turned out great, with beautiful colors.

[@growinggreenswithcam8632]

When people say they don’t know how to meditate I’ll recommend this, it is such a beautiful and rare thing to see a master craftsman work. Thank you for all the videos, they are outstanding.

[@janetsmith5279]

What a result. I too hear my mum telling me problem solving stuff an shes been gone a lot of years so its nice to hear from her even if its only in my head!😘

[@sandmaker]

Some witches are beautiful once you rub the warts off. Thanks for sharing. Stay safe and healthy.😷⚒

[@blackopaldirect]

Yes they are haha I love it

[@lynneperg6853]

Lovely pair of opals you ended up with. Stay safe and healthy.

[@paigedebie4851]

I love every one of these videos please never stop posting!!

[@tymeryder7264]

Lovely stones. Nice you dad continues to watch over you.

[@tomdoyle6030]

So glad they turned out well in the end , purple and green too very witchy colours , loved the content as always

[@ianm2317]

It's a pleasure to watch you working. It's therapeutic watching and listening to a master craftsman work. The majesty which comes from a sand coloured blob to the finishes product is amazing. Thank you from the NE England (Birtley) where its mostly wet and cloudy and your vids are a ray of sunshine.

[@nodnostrebor4300]

That is a heartwarming story about your father. In a way the story hearkens back to the age of the guilds. How prescient it sounds today given the shifting world we all face. Of course you have to continue to expand your craft. Have you ever cut a witches hat nobby round, with a hole in the center, or a crescent moon, for a set of earrings? The natural physical shape challenge seems to lend itself to innovation.

[@blackopaldirect]

Yes many times

[@HAlC-up4hm]

I love that oval stone and that you can see the full rainbow. It would be beautiful in a ring or necklace!

[@20centswortht91]

Thanks for the very informative vid Justin... my 11yr old son has been trying to work out the best way to clean up a small one of these pieces...and now we know why he has so much trouble getting it to look ok... he is just using brushes and tools from a small set of grinding and polishing bits that fit in a normal variable speed drill but he loves it and at least gets to reveal the stone ..so thanks again coz we know they are witches hats now. have a great day - everyday...!!

[@blackopaldirect]

That is awesome!!

[@Tracy_R]

I adore that color blue. Thanks. Wishing for one!

[@neilstleon6251]

Just beautiful. You are a miracle worker and an opal master Justin. Also really liked that photo of the light blue turquoise coloured nobby. Keep up the excellent work 👌

[@blackopaldirect]

🙏

[@tonywild6581]

That was a tricky one to cut Justin. Good you got divine inspiration to carry on. Not seen witches hat opal before and was interesting to learn how they may of formed. Was a lovely couple of opals from it.

[@sunshinem.7741]

That cute little lump turned into such beautiful stones! 😍 These might be my favorite I've seen on this channel

[@richardland5563]

That was a brilliant video... it’s always more interesting when there is a few difficulties and decisions to be made.

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you Richard

[@zenberryflood]

HA! no wonder my 15$ piece of opal was a nightmare! It WAS a witches hat shape but with 3 times as many sandpits. Wish this came out when I got the darn stone, lol. Perfect little pieces! Yet another great opal video!

[@blackopaldirect]

Enough to make you cry!! They can be troublesome

[@chrismalcomson7640]

What a great skill that is. I thought you were going to throw it in the bin because it wasn't looking good. Like a pro you got a couple of pretty decent stones out of it..Lessons for us all on perseverance.. Love it!

[@topcat8839]

It is so endearing to hear you talk of your father, still following his great advice and the skills he taught you Justin. Another interesting video, the end result was beautiful, well done Black Opal Direct, thankyou for another great video

[@blackopaldirect]

Unfortunately, yes - I actually did this a couple of days ago

[@lourobin2728]

I 💕 watching your videos but what I 💕 the most is your amazing accent! It’s as beautiful as the stones your cut! ☺️

[@blackopaldirect]

Haha thank you!

[@SilverGoth]

Those turned out surprisingly well!

[@aliecarey]

Wow turned out REALLY pretty ❤

[@blackopaldirect]

Thanks Alie

[@gabem6362]

I would have stopped and lick my wounds ..... Bravo sir and your daddy lives on , with you at the wheel .. God bless

[@suzycat2026]

That turned out very well 🙂 Heart warming about hearing your Dads advice ❤ I can see what he meant about turning it over ; the colours were below. Superb work , thanks for sharing 🐱☯️🌌🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@ThezILAI]

You know, I've never had an opal nor have I ever cut a nobie, but yet I love watching your videos!

[@georginabuziak5110]

Really enjoying these mini lessons from you.........these two turned out fabulous!!!! I have a friend that cabs stones that he mines....it always amazed me when I watched him take a rough stone that looked like nothing and turned it into something gorgeous! I think Opal would be harder to work with but even other stones, if you don't get the presentation just right, you get left with a not so pretty piece!

[@Caroline-55-e5x]

Thanks for the education! I've never heard of a witches hat nobby.

[@heatherharcrow6156]

I love your videos I fall asleep to them every night they are so soothing.

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you I am glad they help

[@scottgallagher9141]

Again a great video and learned again something new Thank you keep up the great work love watching 👍👍👍

[@brandonrobinson2251]

We he comes to you like that you know he’s standing over your shoulder watching with a smile.

[@aaronwestbrook9151]

Very heart felt video. Made me think back to when my dad was alive and the things he taught me or tried to teach me. Great video Justin. Super excited to see a triangle cut opal. Said something about one in your live cutting video a few weeks back and how one would look. Amazing!!

[@mkivy]

Hey Justin and “Black Opal Direct”....just received my beautiful opals for my wife....now off to the jeweler ...I’m going to use the stones for her anniversary surprise...they are beautiful Justin! Thank you all back in Australia 🇦🇺...next order I’ll come get it? 😂 hahaha. Sorry 😐 no money mow I’m buying gold and jewels! Lol 😝....take care and bless u sir!

[@jamesbarisitz4794]

I've learned a ton from your videos Justin -Thank you. 👍

[@Albertpergler]

Very interesting Justin thank you so much for sharing

[@Cody4K420]

I wish I could work for you and learn you seem very wise and knowledgable.

[@steveclark4291]

Thank you for sharing a very interesting article with me ! Take care , stay safe and healthy there in Australia ! Doing well here in Kansas .

[@MikeyMikeHq]

I'm so happy I found this channel

[@janetflint2817]

Whaaaooo love to see I have a notification of a new Black Opal Direct video..💃☺️👍

[@blackopaldirect]

Yay glad it worked

[@janetflint2817]

Yes it looked a bit dodgy at first ,but 2 nice ones came out of it..

[@LilSlimYouTube]

Absolutely love Opal and this channel

[@MCC4RTHY1]

Awe. Thanks for sharing that bit about your dad

[@PsychoticAmbitions]

Hi Melinda & Justin! This video turned out amazing! The way Justin spoke about his father really made me feel almost connected, that was great videography and acting/"story"telling! Lol I hope you understand what I mean.

[@blackopaldirect]

Thanks so much Hunter - we love the feedback :)

[@chadatchison145]

What a fantastic save and valuable lesson! Thank you so much for this.

[@blackopaldirect]

You're very welcome! Chad :-)

[@BlissfulMoonLapidary]

Aweee it gave my googies when you talked about heading you dad 🧡

[@blackopaldirect]

Haha sorry ❤️❤️

[@MrSamurichuck]

Great video as always justin. Thanks for sharing your trade and knowledge with me. Peace ✌

[@blackopaldirect]

Welcome Sam

[@ndean1687]

Those turned out to be beautiful stones!

[@lindak8664]

They turned out pretty. Fairy colours 🧚‍♀️

[@l.rowanmcknight7853]

I think two days of binging your channel have taught me a thing or two lol. I was looking at that and wondering if you cut it upside down, but then you didn't and I thought "welp, I was wrong." But then you switched tracks and... yay!

[@joeisabella6811]

Beautiful results from such an interesting rough! Best wishes

[@maryjabbarzadeh1977]

Hi Justin, l live in Sydney, love how you’re cutting the opal, you are so good and Mack it so fast and easy, I I’am tray to learn more from you . I was surprise last year in opal show saw you on the lighting rich. Your Mack my day with cutting the brute full

[@margaretscott133]

Thanks Justine so excited to see these cut .

[@tracyduell-cazes9452]

2 awesome stones justin. Love the purple hues

[@michaelmalachite4404]

Jaw dropping I love the triangle piece 🤩

[@danielwhittmore6582]

I've been waiting on opals all week. 🙌

[@yoramuziel3617]

I love watching your videos, i watch first thing in the morning when i up (in Thailand). Thanks a lot

[@carolynallisee2463]

Very pretty little stones-I actually prefer crystal and white opals to the dark and black ones, for some reason. And the triangular shaped stone is a fun shape, even if ovals are preferred for setting in jewelry...

[@jimlancaster6120]

Glad to see you got some color out of it.

[@bernabeabdulhakim]

Thank you for sharing your wonderful skills it's my pleasure to watch your channel hopefully I can see you there in personal cuz I wanna learn on how to do like you do...

[@dennisjamieson3328]

I was just talking to a friend about your cutting opals Justin. Tks for explaination of what a witch hat was and knobbies are

[@teneillehogge1789]

Very pretty outcome, congrats

[@alexdenault10101]

Those turned out really nice !

[@blackopaldirect]

Thanks Alex

[@ficheye00]

It seems like you might have gotten better stones if you would have cut it in half earlier. But I really don't know without actually touching it and seeing it in person. Great work!

[@blackopaldirect]

hindsight would help a lot if you could harness it lol

[@aropals672]

Just did one and it was a tricky little sucker.... Got a small stone but pretty little high dome one.

[@blackopaldirect]

Nice 👍

[@tammycornell1985]

Very glad they worked out for you. Thanks for the video

[@blackopaldirect]

Thanks again!

[@KIRALYW]

Beautiful stones... absolutely stunning. I hear my dads voice too when I’m stuck with a decision. May he RIP ♥️

[@blackopaldirect]

[@13mjunky]

Really enjoyed this one! Learned something new! Thanks!

[@panampia]

I kid you not, the moment you showed this to us, I said to myself, it is upside down!! Cut from the other side! Your dad was speaking to me too!!!!!!!

[@blackopaldirect]

Well done :-)

[@Sh4d0w20]

Hey Justin - happy to see there is a new video ;) all the best from austria

[@StopListenThink]

I want to learn how to do this this looks like so much fun

[@rogerlimoseth4790]

Fun? Idk... You can screw a piece up so fast. Id have heart palpitations doing one. You can go from a 15k stone to a $15 dollar stone in a hot minute.

[@Jeanne6OH]

I just started! I'm doing mine by hand, I bought 6 tiny shards on eBay and have been having fun working on them a little at a time on a knife sharpening block. I have one rub done and it's easily twice the size of any Ethiopian opal I bought already set in jewelry. Justin has a video on it, "How to cut and polish by hand", look it up!

[@GapCracker]

Well... that is some fantastic lighting :P

[@snudder.s.m.l.5026]

They are beuteful in their colors, pearly pastel colors, so so much stones fore juveler to Yong people. Be safe and take care. Big hugs from stine, from Denmark 🇩🇰 🌹 🌺

[@speccwolf]

respect to your dad

[@1catfishuntermiller753]

Hiya mate, awesome video, it turned out beautifully. I had never heard about that kind of opals. When I first saw the opal you were fixing to work on my first thought was to grind from the bottom, which you did, I'm glad my instinct was right for once. Lol Awesome video, I love when a plan comes together. I hope you have a great blessed day mate. Cheers!

[@blackopaldirect]

Glad you enjoyed it Catfish

[@fmt_Guåhan]

How interesting! Beautiful gems...♥️

[@jessicahart2115]

Youre very talented with yr cutting...

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you

[@robzombieshot]

Idea... if you ever have one with a shape that could look like orchids pedals, and with gold work, could make an awesome pendant or centerpiece with pearls or ? Several rows. The center drop of the orchid could also be pearl or a diamond. Classy and $$$

[@TheSparklyBeader87]

Very informative! Beautiful stones.💖🌷💍💎

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you kindly

[@GreggBB]

Really interesting how they differ from other nobbies. How often to do end up remembering something from your dad that causes you take a step back from how you are proceeding? Looing forward to seeing you deal with the other rough you showed in that one group recently!

[@lindahobbs5545]

Beautiful gems!

[@barrywebber100]

Very interesting. Thanks for posting.

[@braylan77]

Hello Justin, hope all is well on your side of the world. I have a question; have you ever had an opal that you just had to facet in order for it to be worth your efforts? If so I would love to see the outcome of said stone or stones. I know opal has its natural beauty in play of color but sometimes I just wonder if an bad opal can be saved by faceting.

[@robs5620]

The pizza shaped one is so sweet!

[@retharust1290]

Wow they are pretty!

[@cloudattack3279]

Got some rain out at the fields this week I believe? I’ll be out at the grawin next week can’t wait to get under the earth away from all the chaos that’s happening on the surface...😷😆 Cheers 🙏👍🇦🇺

[@juliafayeconner8978]

Those are very pretty.

[@scottpeters5624]

Hey Justin. Another great video anther great stone . Not as stuning as the script pattern stone you showed us a while back. Which leads me to I have been a witch for 758 years and my hat does not look like that , I think it offends witches . Looking, forward to your next video

[@blackopaldirect]

It's now called a "magically enhanced nobby"

[@scottpeters5624]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@lamperougeone5831]

Love watching your videos! Just one thing, have you considered adding something like a ruler, coin, etc. for scale in your photos? It was hard for me to tell how big the witches hat opals were in the photos near the end of the video.

[@theresabetaway7775]

Great video, Good information thanks 👍.

[@stevenstewart615]

Very beautiful cuts out of that witches hat. Can you please let me know where I can purchase the same style water valves you have on your cabbing machines, thank you.

[@blackopaldirect]

Gemcuts in Ballina, Australia :)

[@aumetalmental8403]

Quite interesting, this one. Pretty cool.😎✌️

[@ronaldbaits9924]

Would it be worth using the dremol on the underside first to see? And if so try cutting a thin dome out of the whole piece to save on color?

[@placepages8071]

They are bright 👍😁

[@bl4643]

Thank you, I found an emerald with this shape and had no idea what to do with it.