Mexican Leopard Opal Polishing With Dremel or Flex Shaft

[@V27RV]

Perfect timing..was on KZbin skurrelling through for some rare opal videos..and Boom Roy drops a rare one🎉

[@RoysRocks]

Haha I actually don't think this material is very rare. I imagine there is actually heaps out there from the papers I have read on it.

[@V27RV]

@ I’ve been trying to get my hands on any leopard opal for a year now..still no luck found brilliant Louisianian Idaho spencer Brazilian Opal but no leopard opal

[@PulitzerOpal]

Nice job! I like the large chunks of opal in the basalt. The ones that I have had (so far) have not had any large chunks of opal, but in my last one the opal spots were more tightly spaced and I did not notice a preponderance of fire opal-like areas. (I also like the 5K sandpaper roll! I have never seen that before) dp

[@RoysRocks]

I'll work on one of the more dense blue tone ones next time. I just knew these fire opal chunk ones are less shown online. All from the same place though.

[@Famo59]

Hi Roy. Very interesting.. Personally.. that’s an Opal I don’t find interesting to work on.. Thanks for sharing this.. Cheers 🍻

[@nancycurtis7315]

Hi,@Famo59. Greetings. 😊.

[@RoysRocks]

It is a bit of an odd one for sure. I wouldn't rate it in my top 10 either. No bar chasing.

[@Famo59]

@@nancycurtis7315 Hi 👋 Have a great week.

[@AlabamaUSA1234]

That's so beautiful. I have a fascination for anything opal. I love seeing something new, to me. I'm so glad you decided to give instructions on how to work it. I love bolder opal too.. It's beautiful, even the unpolished side. It's amazing the way the opals form in the stone. Thank you for the information. I believe it would be fantastic to work some day.. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us

[@RoysRocks]

Happy to show off some different material. I'll have to check my videos incase I have missed any other materials that I own.

[@dustyblueberry3313]

I'm so glad that you worked some of this so that we could see how it polished up like. I would definitely get some to try it out for myself but, it wouldn't be my most favourite opal. Thanks for another great video 😀

[@RoysRocks]

Not even in my top 10 opals but there is soo much out there it is hard to break into the top 5-10

[@elishadoyle8191]

Don't sell yourself short, your pretty smart 🤓. Your the one who's teaching most of us. The Leopard Opal is definitely unique. I love it. Haven't worked with it yet but I'm thinking about giving it a try with the piece that I won. Another great video mate 🎉

[@RoysRocks]

I need you guys! I had NO IDEA I had not worked on this material on the channel yet.

[@elishadoyle8191]

@RoysRocks Aw, your so humble. We all need you also

[@bf2nwn2]

That material is SO interesting! I don't imagine it's that expensive either. Thanks for the video Roy, informative as always

[@RoysRocks]

Nah you can buy it by the kg. Similar to Andamooka matrix if not a bit cheaper than the better Andamooka.

[@zoinkaboose]

There's a guy that showcases sandpaper polishing techniques on opal, I can't remember his channel, but I'm glad to see someone else doing it too. Makes me wanna try it.... seeing one person do it is cool, but novel. Seeing two... now I am more of a believer. Thanks for going through the sweeping motions.

[@RoysRocks]

It is a perfectly reasonable way to do it especially with the Nova point drought.

[@zoinkaboose]

@RoysRocks had no idea there's a shortage. I haven't carved much recently. What's the issue?

[@jay8353]

Opal dreaming lol,I totally dig it . Excellent video of an opal I've only ever seen on your channel, thanks for sharing

[@RoysRocks]

Not worked on much out there. Under loved.

[@nicolemurray-jeffery7433]

Looking forward to cutting and polishing up the small piece I have. 😊

[@RoysRocks]

Good luck. I think you'll find it easy. The piece I sent you was the type denser in opal which polishes a bit better.

[@chadatchison145]

Thanks for the video Roy.

[@RoysRocks]

No worries Chad

[@bentationfunkiloglio]

That's really interesting material. Basalt took a really good polish! I'm starting to expand my opal horizons. I'll have to put Mexican leopard opal on my wish list. Currently, trying to get my hands on some bubble opal and hyalite opal from Utah. Waiting on mine owners to get back from their vacation. :)

[@RoysRocks]

There is so much out there. Hopefully your collection and experience builds up like mine over the years. Endless new material out there.

[@dcallan812]

Roy, you can shine anything. But if it wont shine, you could always roll it in glitter. Not a type of opal I have myself but I might have a look for some thanks 2x👍

[@karenjones7111]

Thank you. Very nice. ✌️♥️

[@RoysRocks]

No worries happy to show off the random material I have.

[@Paul-BB-FNQ]

Great to show how the different gradients of bit completes the different stages but a very serious question; all the sandpaper scrolls shown at the end of the clip obviously come off worn down wet & dry sandpaper until it won't cut anymore? Do you re-glue new sandpaper to your grind tips? or is that the end of the line for that tip or shaft. It's a shame you gotta throw them away if they're all done? Cost for boxes of sandpaper tips? or do a clip on different collections available please Roy. Good show as always; my Vevo SR hasn't arrived yet, I'll let ya know mate, regards Paul BB FNQld

[@RoysRocks]

There is a video planned for that when I get a few more worn down to nothing. Once I have a few blank shafts I'll show how tricky it is to remake the burs. Not overly difficult but a bit of a pain.

[@Paul-BB-FNQ]

@RoysRocks I'll be looking forward to that Roy, thanks mate.

[@bbisyy4u]

That polished up nice. Hard to get a good look at the opal online but the patterns on the host rock look great. I’ll have to get some to see in person. My daughter is planning to move to Mexico so I might just have to make some side trips when I go there to visit.

[@RoysRocks]

Not much of a pattern on the basalt it is pretty much pitch black. Bit of pattern around the opal nodules.

[@hannagyllensten475]

Cool, have to try that with one of the pieces I have.

[@RoysRocks]

Give it a shot. Its surprisingly pleasant to work with.

[@Kerrsartisticgifts]

I didn't realise till you just told me now, that the sandpaper rolls have layers.

[@RoysRocks]

Haha like an ogre... or onion. Would be a shame to bin them after just using the outer layer.

[@nancycurtis7315]

Hi Roy. Interesting looking material. Good to see it worked. I have a small piece from you and it's nice to have in the mix, but no matter what, boulder wins over nearly everything, for me. I'm hopeless. 😢. 😂

[@RoysRocks]

At least you now know you can scrub it up if you want. Does take a pretty good shine so still good practice and you can tick it off as another variety you have played with.

[@hudmumper]

It comes out quite well. I was expecting much more pitting and much less shine. Nice work! They come up very well. I am trying to get some matrix opal to look like this. I might start a discussion on the RR website to stimulate the brain juices (mine and others).

[@RoysRocks]

I think this material is actually quite good for minimal pitting especially on the pieces that have a higher density of opal.

[@hudmumper]

Yes, I have to agree. Happy birthday btw 🎂. 😁

[@jackophof8882]

Look good as a carved frog

[@RoysRocks]

Oh carved frog number 2? I was actually going to do a chess piece.

[@pr0xyg673]

I just came across your video showing the bits your working on to compete with nova points are these available for purchase yet?

[@RoysRocks]

No unfortunately I haven't saved up the money to get the full production lot done yet (minimum order quantity for the final version is quite high). I'm not far off though and the production would actually be quite fast.

[@ThatOpalGuy]

a fractal border on each opal crystal

[@RoysRocks]

Yeah just unfortunate that it is brownish