I FOUND the BLACK OPAL MOTHER LODE! Lightning Ridge

In this video, I take a 7 1/2 oz parcel of Black Lightning Ridge seam opal and cut three beautiful gemstones. You won't believe how much color can be seen in this material. Black opal at its finest! The healing power of opal is discussed.
Opal for this video Supplied by:
Adam Sawicki, ASO Opals
Contact: Text: 518-331-6146
email: [e-mail]
ASO is at all major and many smaller gem shows
Supplier of Lightning Ridge Black Opal
Sells Rough and cut opal
See end of video for details
Table of Contents
00:00:22 Unboxing Black Opal
00:00:56 Parcels of Black Opal
00:01:03 Rough Black Opal #1
00:01:39 Rough Black Opal #2
00:02:41 Making Arrowhead
00:03:30 Rough Opal #3
00:04:01 Precious Opal
00:04:30 Cutting Opal #3
00:07:20 Details of cutting a concave opal
00:07:46 Final Stones
00:09:15 Giveaway Winners
00:09:34 New Giveaways

[@MacSqueeky]

The rainbow opal was an absolute gem. I've never seen anything done with an opal like it. You sir are an artist.

[@OpalholicsAnonymous]

I've only seen on rainbow stone like that. Imagine just the rainbow in a pill shaped high dome . Isolated on its own. Also another from lightning ridge that's a picture stone that looks like rain clouds and a lightning bolt hitting the ground. The rainbow and storm are going to make one heck of a piece of jewelry together

[@MacSqueeky]

@@OpalholicsAnonymous that sounds stunning

[@wilsonrawlin8547]

Absolutely insane color! That has to be a 5 on brightness and play of color.

[@DaftFader]

Of all the opals, you'te the most precious fossil of them all!

[@jeffbell5125]

That was funny

[@Jane_Dow]

That was cute !

[@BlackPhillip666]

Oooof

[@Native_Wind]

@@jeffbell5125 hahaha

[@SueMead]

Well, he's certainly not any old potch. i.e. common opal.

[@josephpecoul6532]

What a great gift you have sir. Knowing when someone else is wrong I never know when you or anyone else is wrong and your so humble about your power. What an honor to know you... Admiral!!!

[@myobacctsgirl]

Absolutely beautiful. Looking forward to seeing more of these parcels being unearthed.

[@clintstoner13680]

That concaved seam opal specimen is simply stunning. I agree it was worth preserving the "rainbow" section, it definitely adds to the character of the stone.

[@clintstoner13680]

@@PulitzerOpal I wouldn't blame you if you did! I think it's awesome that you make content while working on stones for other people. You've definitely got a knack for finishing opal, that's for sure. I'm still very novice but I've got close to a year under my belt and probably several hundred carats of opal in various stages of completion. Your perspective is very refreshing and is usually a stark contrast to the other fella I watch frequently from down under.

[@clintstoner13680]

@@PulitzerOpal I'm not going to lie, I believe I've watched close to 75% of Justin's videos so far (and all of yours). I have nothing but respect for Justin and his ability to earn a living from opal. I agree it's a fantastic hobby and I'm sure the longer I stay involved the better I'll get. At first, I was under the impression that the opal itself was going to be the most expensive part of working the stones but the up-front investment in equipment is much worse.

[@matthewhayler601]

@@PulitzerOpal haha. I’ve been looking for months and can’t find anything secondhand. I’m fairly new to opal also, but after sneaking into the ridge before they locked down. AGAIN I was hooked they have just opened up again but I live in Queensland and if I go into NSW before December they’ll make me quarantine when I return to QUEENSLAND. long drive to opal ton or yowah and don’t really know how to go prospecting these spots. Thanks for the details to Adam Sawicki I’ll bet he lets you have that rainbow seam 😂

[@obiwanmaui]

I agree that one is very beautiful as well. Love your videos.

[@LouisGedo]

Thank you for not only giving your viewers clear demonstrations on your technique including important tips such as how to be extra careful working on the ends of the grinding wheel...........but also showing us the many creative ways in which a piece of rock can be shaped and ground and turned into a little miracle of beauty that even someone as hardened as Sheila can admire! 😉

[@wilsonrawlin8547]

I really like how you use a fine grit to expose the color bar. I've watched many videos where they clearly lose a ton of the color bar that could've been saved for the stone or stones. WELL DONE, SIR!

[@susanmiller4159]

Always fascinating to watch. All that fragile beauty just waiting for the right hands to free it. Thanks for sharing.❤️

[@chantillychandra]

I've always been a sucker for that blue color! I love that your pieces are so unique from what I normally see!

[@brynnstephens6404]

How pretty! I agree, the rainbow pattern is gorgeous!

[@kendraackerman3077]

Spectacular job! I love that you kept some of the 'imperfections' in the opal!

[@stellagirl7625]

That #3 was absolutly beautiful! I love color and I really love rainbows! To have both in one stone is definitly a keeper!🌈

[@zaz131313]

Wow, the rainbow opal is such a gorgeous and unique stone!

[@ant-1382]

Really appreciate the narrative, explaining what you are doing and why.

[@jeffholmes1362]

Stunning material. Love the arrow head.

[@Roguepandagirl]

Just showed this episode to my mother-in-law, she loved the arrow head. Awesome work as always Admiral.

[@Greenfairy65]

Gorgeous pieces!

[@AwakeAtTheWheel]

Don is back!! It feels like the previous video only just came out. This was a welcome surprise!

[@kristacox5054]

Stone 3 is just stunning. I love the numerous color patterns.

[@techgirl1337]

I just discovered this channel and it cracks me up! I enjoy these videos so much, and not doubt my opal collection will be growing swiftly.

[@jackiecarter7815]

Awesome gems! You do beautiful work! Thank you for sharing yourself with us!

[@Scarlet_Soul]

Love the uniqueness of the arrowhead, and the colour in the final stone is beautiful

[@oneshotme]

BIG congrats to the winners and good luck to everyone else!!! No trigger word this video?? Very beautiful opals Don

[@chriskeasey4880]

Love watching you work. Beautiful stones.

[@tiffanytrotter5074]

Leaving the shapes and natural contours really brings out the true characters in every opal, but only because I believe you are such a talented artist! I've learned so much from your videos you really can tell that you truly love what you do.

[@Ddjfontainehulse]

keep up the good work! love seeing the polished final product.

[@snugglestruggle8437]

8:50 Reminds me of a peacock feather, past the quill to where the feathering begins moving outward. Very nice looking.

[@gabewrsewell]

absolutely love that large seam piece, lovey colour! and the arrowhead surprised me too at how much i liked it

[@professorxgaming2070]

Wow they all came out beautiful

[@evaheppting577]

Wow. The color of those opals is truly amazing.

[@truedocar1]

Beautiful stones as always

[@cweave02]

Nice stones, nice treatment of them!

[@raccoon93]

Stone #1 is simply stunning with the mix of deep blue and green! The colours look almost neon they're so bright, wow! Thanks for another great video :)

[@larryd4352]

That rainbow opal is spectacular!!! You did a fabulous job on that one! I also love the piece you made into an arrow head! I had a friend who's parents owned a big ranch in southern New Mexico...and there were several spots where she would take us where we found arrow heads, broken pottery, and even a large axe head.

[@chrisblom2481]

Like always,i learned how to do something, or improve when it comes to the art of working with opal!!! Thanks to the Admiral of opals!!!! Keep up the amazing work and i cant wait to see what else you can teach me on the next video!

[@coryboatz4434]

Awesome little cuts, really like the one you saved the rainbow pattern on, very nice gradient on that one. Also great arrowhead and nice little fossil at the end. Can't wait for next video!

[@brianrubalcava3073]

Value is in the eye of the beholder and you are allowing others to see through your eyes; the value in the lesser opal. Very nice. Ruby

[@scrappydoo7887]

They are some beautiful pieces there Admiral 👍

[@kaynefryday1251]

Soooooo pretty , the arrowhead is stunning

[@rebeccalaclair1291]

I simply love how you can find the beauty in imperfections, and help us to see it, too. That must be why you keep Sheila around. ;)

[@sheriroberts8055]

Masterful work, Admiral!! I'd be very hard pressed to choose a favorite from those three!! My dad was a Mohawk Indian and as a kid he showed my brother and I how to knap other materials. I wasn't very good but my brother and cousin were pretty handy!

[@archangelzed601]

As a Native American, that arrowhead was the perfect use for that stone. And I can confirm we were everywhere back in the day lol.

[@madorganicscientist2527]

Definitely gives it a unique look 😁👌

[@aaronstewart3570]

RH null Bloodlines? All Americans are the same. You no different. What culture on Earth has more genetic variations than any other tribe making them the oldest on the planet? It ain't you lot of morons that's for sure. No. 1 douches on the planet is all you lot are first in. Aztec were Australian Aboriginals, American Indians are Aztec cross Asians. Nothing more.

[@aaronstewart3570]

And Africans are Australian Aboriginals cross middle eastern/European. Genetic Facts mate. It's fuckin sad watching a bunch of losers arguing when they have no history.

[@aaronstewart3570]

Aztec ruins in Australia not American half blood pyramids.... lmfao. Wow people are fuckin retarded cunts.

[@aaronstewart3570]

The thirteenth and final tribe to rejoin the Bloodlines. Australian Aboriginals. The Southern pole Cradle of civilisation. Dark skinned the opposite to the northern pole light skinned tribe. All other tribes are adoptions and mixed Bloodlines!! Facts.

[@fshnbuddy2]

Beautiful stones.

[@sharrzza]

Wow, love that little chubby arrowhead. That rainbow stone is really gorgeous and mirror shine...omg! You always end up creating such beauty!!! Thank you for your videos.

[@ThatOpalGuy]

Holy cow! I WON? thank you! How do I like this video a million times? I was going to make a remark about "see the dip" but I better not now! Give Sheila a big hug for me!

[@janvafa9959]

Those stones are beautiful!

[@elizabethlittler4472]

I have only once seen a lenticular cloud with rainbow colours in it and it looked just like the top of your stone. Magical. I also loved the arrowhead. Bye from England x

[@steves3734]

Love the arrowhead! Thanks for the video.

[@josephpecoul6532]

Really beautiful stones always love seeing the opal

[@lorrahess3003]

Love watching you work

[@raspybob9905]

Wow love the arrow head, nice work.

[@madorganicscientist2527]

Absolutely amazing pieces I've been starting a collection of opal and been doing lapidary in my local rock cutters club and found it so interesting, it's such a beautiful stone in every form every way it comes out 😁👍

[@wisuzu]

Very fine work!

[@andyholton7959]

Beautiful work 👍

[@ogiejii7885]

Great video. Thank you.

[@donnieheacox1176]

The arrowhead is awesome Don.....thanks for sharing!

[@SueMead]

As far as I know, indigenous Australians did not use bows&arrows. The spear and boomerang were their weapon of choice as they hunted in numerous types of land, from the coastal areas, through to the outback. Still, I won't begrudge you making an opal arrowhead, particularly when you've presented it so nicely. Another great episode from the Colonel.

[@traceybyrne3213]

Ohh mate our indigenouse ured spears but we're a very long almost nail dagger on the end of a rather long stick we have a lot of ground to cover and our native food source was very muscular and very fast as bouncing hi are a distant target in seconds and wombats have a very had fur like a wire , almost a metal protector and super tough backside they used as a safe door when in burrow there arse is backed up to seal the burrow from unwanted visitors

[@emeraldsystem344]

Wow number 3 is truly amazing!! Omg

[@Urban_Piggy]

That Arrowhead is perfect! Very cool!

[@Rookie_Rockounding]

Man, I just love your work. I love the concave and the rainbow you saved. What a beautiful piece! And of course the arrowhead, how pretty man!

[@ProspectingMonkey]

Great job, they came out really beautiful

[@chrissaucier9386]

Those are beautiful opals. Nice work sir !

[@patricklarkin4389]

Admiral Donald that concave seam Opal is amazing I have to agree with you leaving it as is was definitely the right choice!!!

[@justausername1]

Love the rainbow shape!

[@tahirmahmood7719]

Very nice to see you shaping opal stone. I don't know much about this store but I really mesmerized by the beautiful colors it has. Unfortunately I can't have this because it is expensive. May you progress.

[@Suehuskins]

Always an education. Thank you.

[@r.g.medina213]

I'm from Texas and I love that arrowhead opal you made. It's something very unique! 👍👍👍

[@jeeess9979]

Me too! Have you ever been around the red river hunting for arrowheads?

[@elvisneedsboatsbennett2455]

The last stone you showed was so beautiful. Blue and green are my favorite colors.

[@talonfloyd8104]

That seam opal was crazy with all the different patterns so awesome!

[@maryhernandezwalker1528]

Awesome job on the arrowhead .

[@jhcali71]

That arrow head work is really something! Really wonderful piece!

[@j-rocd9507]

Simply amazing. I really like rainbow pattern.

[@sandmaker]

Thanks for all the opal goodness and I heeded the warning, I was being good... well, as good as I can be. What a great parcel of opal eye candy. Happy grinding, be safe and stay healthy. 😷⚒

[@matthewdomeno7267]

Another fun video, thanks again.

[@jennychevalier1588]

Your work is awesome and the stones are stunning loved the arrowhead.

[@evelynpickwick9822]

Great parcel!

[@AI3Dorinte]

love the specimen, so many colors!

[@Bobby_Da_Barber]

All three examples today were beautiful, great job. Another awesome video from Pulitzer

[@annakeye]

That was a brilliant episode. No mucking around and heaps of good information.

[@sandytheisen5389]

Great job!!

[@generalkaiandmind8771]

It's always nice to see you unbox your new parcel.....

[@colettekarley8349]

I love the arrow head xx

[@ieatcaribou7852]

Blue and darker green are my favorite opal colors but all of those were beautiful. Those were like Skittles, taste the rainbow! Once again, another fantastic video.

[@judywilkie7396]

Another great video. Keep them coming. ❤️

[@Jane_Dow]

You made a extremely beautiful arrowhead pendant ! Well all your stones are beautiful, but this time go round it was the arrowhead !

[@sharonleader5133]

Your work is always beautiful.

[@StreetHeartVintage]

I'm always so happy to see a new upload!

[@anthonymcclain6475]

The material was AMAZING in this video...I'm going to have to check aso opal out!!!

[@kellyfoster8903]

Congratulations to the winners of last time video, but wow, those are some pretty opals.they are truly amazing on how they form.

[@bring6not12]

really love your videos, wasnt the one who got me into cutting opal but you have tought me a lot! you have for sure gotten me into belemnite fossils though! once you have a booth in tuscon i will definitely be meeting you!

[@onetwocue]

As a kid I was fascinated by opals because of it's silicate content.

[@amberandrews6842]

Fantastic job!

[@PulitzerOpal]

Thank you so much, Amber! Your support means a lot, and we're thrilled you enjoyed the video. 😊🌟👏

[@SKY031]

Nicely done, Admiral. That arrowhead is stunning! You have an incredible intuition of how to best use each sample you work with.

[@jeeess9979]

I wonder if it was actual real gold on the chain that he used? I think the arrowhead is certainly worthy of a real gold chain

[@drew8282]

I love the blue and green opals! Keep em coming!

[@tombrooks3812]

Enjoyed this video a lot,good to see the whole process.

[@MrInsaint]

Outstanding work of Opal Art👍👍👍 and You are the best gem of them all🙏🙏🙏

[@jameslund2658]

Nice pops. I really like the blues and purples in opals.

[@aropals672]

Personally I love looking at a beautiful crystal but for myself to wear it's got to be that beautiful blue/green on black. The deep natural beauty in gold, it just doesn't get better than that for me! Thanks Don for another great video and contact for awesome rough.

[@OzLioness]

The arrowhead was cool - but O-M-G! That rainbow Ohhhhmyyy! Well done !