Nervous Opal Cutting... Got Lucky. Nick Hoops Boulder Opal Win.

[@PulitzerOpal]

You did a beautiful job of salvaging that blob of opal! It's very nice opal and you saved it (so far)! Beam me up, Scotty!

[@RoysRocks]

I'm always trying to salvage something. Gotta give the people some hope that there is treasure amongst the cheap material.

[@jeffholmes1362]

Well I wanted an oval, but if Pulitzer has weighed in, I’m gone. 😂😂😂😂

[@nancycurtis7315]

It's not broken, Roy. Please don't "fix" it! Just slice that back down to a reasonable thickness and it would be a beautiful freeform pendant. It's a beautiful bit of boulder. ❤

[@RoysRocks]

The boulder opal gods really look out for me. No idea how I just do many to pan out compared to the other fields.

[@crissi6220]

3. option- not cut away any opal but leave the shape like it is?? I love it! ❤

[@RoysRocks]

Could do that. Would then just need to trim the host stone and polish. Certainly the easier option.

[@AlabamaUSA1234]

I love the Star Trek symbol idea... It's gorgeous

[@RoysRocks]

This stone looks like it is from space so seems fitting.

[@AlabamaUSA1234]

@@RoysRocks it looks like you can see a universe inside of it... It's so deep

[@saralaubacher677]

What a beautiful opal! Even the banding of the ironstone is super cool. Reminds me of a piece of inlayed jewelry prior to cutting the excess off

[@RoysRocks]

I love how the two interact and the ironstone offcut from this I also have plans for.

[@saralaubacher677]

@@RoysRocks that's awesome! Can't wait to see what you do next

[@karenjones7111]

I love Boulder. I think I would have made a polished specimen piece out of that. It had the greatest shape. But you always do a beautiful job. Can't wait to see the finished piece. ✌️♥️

[@RoysRocks]

Yeah could have been left as it was but I need more opal and less ironstone in my life. I also just want to be able to bezel set it in a pendant or ring.

[@karenjones7111]

@@RoysRocks it's going to be beautiful. ✌️♥️

[@AlabamaUSA1234]

I couldn't cut it... it's so beautiful like it is...

[@nancycurtis7315]

It's beautiful, isn't it? A stunning bit of rock!😊

[@AlabamaUSA1234]

@@nancycurtis7315 absolutely stunning

[@RoysRocks]

The way of the classic opal. And in particular boulder opal.

[@bbisyy4u]

That’s a real beauty. It seems a bit tiny for a Star Trek symbol but it would make a rather unique piece. I love the patterns in iron stone.

[@RoysRocks]

The ironstone sliced off is worth saving and doing something with for sure.

[@hannagyllensten475]

Beautiful stone, love it. I'd probably have a hard time not cutting the symbol if I'd seen it in the stone, but its fantastic already. ❤️

[@RoysRocks]

True just for the art of it! Easy option is just the oval though.

[@Scarlet_Soul]

Beautiful one there. Seeing that big blob in the ironstone was definitely something. I do love boulder opal but it can definitely be a messy endeavour when you don't have adequate cutting tools and you have to grind down all the iron ore 😂

[@RoysRocks]

It can give you a good tan and I think the pores of my hands always have a bit in there. I've probably cut a piece of boulder every week for the last 5 years.

[@Scarlet_Soul]

@@RoysRocks Become one with the iron ore

[@Kerrsartisticgifts]

What a great piece of boulder opal that was and is. I was seeing a big oval from the top right towards the bottom left and a little startrek logo from the bottom right pointy part 😊

[@RoysRocks]

I think it might end up as an oval in the end... looking at the logo again it is actually a bit of a change in the shape.

[@stevenpolack4444]

Nice pattern, and beautiful piece for boulder opal. I say do an oval but I like the idea of trek logo too 😂

[@RoysRocks]

Haha there is no losing on this one.

[@bentationfunkiloglio]

Really awesome bit of opal art. I’d go with oval. Nerd, Star Trek fanboys don’t buy much opal. I’m the exception:). The first opal that I cut was solid, but just started with Yowah and Koriot boulder opal. Boulder is super fun but can be quite challenging.

[@RoysRocks]

Oval is what I am leaning towards. Boulder will always be my number 1

[@dcallan812]

The iron stone just turns to mush, really easy to remove. Very nice gem in the end. Im not a big fan of boulder opal, I have a few bits just to fill in my collection. Great video 2x👍

[@RoysRocks]

Only annoying part is the gummy-ness about it. Some of it can be really sticky but nothing the sintereds and water cant handle.

[@Opalsnz]

Wow! Awsome stone! Im all for the Star Trek symbol ♥

[@RoysRocks]

Another point to start trek. I'll have to print out a stencil.

[@nicolemurray-jeffery7433]

Love the colours in this piece of boulder opal. Oval would be my preference, but I’m not a big Star Trek fan 😊

[@RoysRocks]

Oval is the easy one for sure. Might just stencil it up.

[@redeyestones3738]

Nice frikken piece, brother! Good on ya!

[@RoysRocks]

Got lucky. I had sweaty palms for a second there.

[@AusOpal]

good piece for beginners parcels and all my best Boulder is from Nic it is time to get some tx Roy

[@RoysRocks]

I can't go past the guy for Boulder opal. I gotta send him some more coin to keep him digging up this good stuff.

[@AlabamaUSA1234]

OMG! That's unbelievable!

[@RoysRocks]

Just gotta hold your breathe when the sand won't go away 😂

[@AlabamaUSA1234]

@@RoysRocks I do hold my breath when I'm working on anything... don't realize I'm doing it. I make a grunting sound 😂 it's true. Even as a kid my friends would say "stop grunting" elbow to the ribs

[@ccccarriemchardy9216]

Beautiful floral/pinfire.

[@RoysRocks]

I always wish there was a bit more jigsaw. Still looking for the dream jigsaw piece. I would overpay like crazy.

[@gazzog6252]

Far out Roy awsome

[@RoysRocks]

Just lucky. I don't often stop and double check with the light mid cut but chances were looking slim.

[@Marb-pd9jz]

I loved the shape it started with. l would have probably left more ironstone around it. But we all see things differently. Still its a beautiful stone and great colours.

[@RoysRocks]

I have a lot of ironstone in the shed and I will actually reuse the big piece I sliced off this one. The best prices always come from the full faced pieces so I do that when possible.

[@Marb-pd9jz]

That's fare enough. @@RoysRocks

[@elishadoyle8191]

Great job 🎉I reckon keep as it is

[@RoysRocks]

I think it'll get tweaked to an oval. Easy to set that way.

[@elishadoyle8191]

@@RoysRocks nice choice

[@jeffholmes1362]

Firstly, awesome stone. In my opinion too good for gimmicks. Oval all the way. Either way, that’s the dream right there Roy, well done.

[@RoysRocks]

Easy oval and set is probably get wise decision for sure.

[@eirintowne]

Please post a link to Nick Hoops, for the next time I can afford to buy! I would have left that one with an edge of ironstone around it, but then I don't yet have experience with setting a stone. Gorgeous, anyway!

[@RoysRocks]

Nick has a gang nowadays. On facebook you can find them here: facebook.com/groups/774702574588378

[@karenjones7111]

Star Trek is cool. ✌️♥️

[@RoysRocks]

I never got into it much. I know it is huge though with my fellow science nerds.

[@AdamDermody]

Love your videos mate you produce magic!! I was wondering what size collet do I need for the sintered burrs?

[@RoysRocks]

3/32" or 2.38mm I think they are. Pretty sure that is the size of all the shanks I currently use.

[@AdamDermody]

@@RoysRocks this is why you are the best!! Thanks mate 👍

[@opaladdictjoe]

oval, that color is too nice to trek it up

[@RoysRocks]

Could be. Its a very nice sky blue and green stone.

[@elishadoyle8191]

This is a bit off track from the video, but, I was looking at the back of the paper that comes with the nova points and it says they can cause cancer. I'm wondering if you knew whether it's the breathing in the particles or dust from them or whether it's from touching your skin which can be adsorbed? Sorry for the weird question

[@RoysRocks]

It is from the gas products of overheating the resin. Its why you never want to chunk any resins in the fire. Probably dozens of cancer causing fumes. Just keep cool and cut with water and there is no issue.

[@elishadoyle8191]

@@RoysRocks Thanks so much for getting back to me on it. I appreciate it.

[@jackophof8882]

I like it the way it is

[@RoysRocks]

Well it'll still need a polish but it is certainly still a fantastic stone as is.

[@hayleymcdonald2140]

Hello from Melbourne hey where can I purchase beginner boulder from pleass

[@RoysRocks]

Hi, You should look for Nick Hoops on Facebook. I dont buy Boulder opal from anyone else these days.

[@kenoathiog1156]

I mean I am definitely more of a Trekkie- but to get the shape of the delta insignia you would be sacrificing quite a bit of colour, which I feel would be a bit of a shame… but having said that, it would look very cool. Helping/ not helping?? 😂

[@RoysRocks]

Just a bit out of the guts. It'll probably be an oval in the end to make setting easier.

[@MichaelSchnidrig]

Faszination SteinOpal

[@NomadUniverse]

I believe it's the wrong proportions for a Star Trek thing. As for the market you have to find an opal fan and a star trek fan in one. That cuts down your market significantly. Then apart from the shape, what relevance does it have to Star Trek? You'll also lose a nice wedge of colour. I think just a nice oval carving for a pendant tbh, attracts the most buyers.

[@RoysRocks]

I'm sure I could find the right person for a star trek logo and the shape would clearly need to be changed to reach that. Not saying it is already there or I would have just polished it up.

[@NomadUniverse]

@@RoysRocks i know its not there yet, I just think you would lose too much of the awesome colour getting it there.

[@victoryoneable]

Since you're not selling your opals, you should shape it the way you want. In my own opinion, opal's attraction lies mostly in its play of colour, so the bigger the surface area, the better. I would leave as much of the surface area as possible.

[@RoysRocks]

I can continue my hoarding dragon ways with all these stones. Once set that is when I will move them on and the buyers can have the videos to see how the piece was made.

[@victoryoneable]

@@RoysRocks So you want to make opal cutting a side gig? If it was me, I wouldn't sell any of them... they're too good an investment. I usually regret it when I sell unique stones.

[@Fiona-y5m]

Ovel ❤

[@RoysRocks]

❤👌

[@DarkenShroud]

Now you know I'm a huge Trekkie, however I'd just snip that edge and go with the round freeform. Would lose too much if you go for the Federation symbol.

[@RoysRocks]

Oh is that the Federation symbol? I was never a big fan but it still came to mind.

[@DarkenShroud]

@@RoysRocks Yeah you're thinking of The Federation insignia on their uniforms.

[@ottaviabollin9272]

Star Trek it's ok 🌠⭐👍👍👍

[@RoysRocks]

🚀

[@pkgoldopalhunting]

ice stone mate

[@RoysRocks]

Love it when a plan works out.

[@kaynef6637]

Cool

[@RoysRocks]

Sometimes I get a little lucky.

[@offyarocka]

🖖🖖🖖

[@RoysRocks]

🖖🚀✨

[@tonyvandijk4339]

What a ripper. Star Trek logo wouldn’t add anything for me. A nice oval or just a Freeform to set later would be perfect.

[@RoysRocks]

Ovals are a very popular shape indeed.

[@tonyvandijk4339]

@@RoysRocks True, but as long as you will set the stone yourself I think a nice flowing Freeform will be great as well. And it can certainly lead to some creative jewellery

[@peterscherff1357]

Oval!

[@RoysRocks]

Its a popular shape...

[@lyndallsymons9767]

That’s a really beautiful looking stone there Roy great job I’d probably cut 2 stones out of that one a big perfectly one and a smaller one you still got plenty of bar to work with 🫡

[@RoysRocks]

Might be a bit small to slice though I could whip out that paper thin blade again.

[@lyndallsymons9767]

@@RoysRocks it looks like gem quality opal top grade 👍

[@lyndallsymons9767]

@@RoysRocks as far as boulder Opal goes