Resin Casting Opal or Mother of Pearl Effects

Today I'm sharing how I create some opal/mother of pearl effects in resin casting.
Links to products I used in the video (affiliate links):
Powders
blue: amzn.to/2ZLv8Gd
green: amzn.to/2ZGv6Q3
red: amzn.to/34fXWdx
gram scale: amzn.to/2ZHCpan
Alumilite Clear resin: www.turnerswarehouse.com/prod...
Measuring Spoons: amzn.to/2MMG3Ob
HDPE Molds: www.turnerswarehouse.com/prod...
Thinking about jumping into resin casting? Check out my e-book "The Beginner's Guide to Resin Casting:" nvwoodwerks.com/product/the-b...
Subscribe to my channel: / @zachiggins
Want to support my channel directly? Become a Patron and get exclusive content and more! / nvwoodwerks
Check out my "Tools I Use" page on my website for links to the products, tools and supplies I use: nvwoodwerks.com/tools/
My mission is to introduce resin casting to the world! Find out more on my website:
nvwoodwerks.com/
Can't get enough resin casting? Check out our audio podcast "The Resin Cast" for more resin goodness: theresincast.com/
NV Woodwerks Pen Blank Store, over 80 different styles of pen blanks in stock: nvwoodwerks.com/shop: nvwoodwerks.com/shop
Check Out These Awesome KZbin Channels:
Ben's Worx - / isbenny69
The Woodworking Shed - / @johnclothier
Make sure to follow me on social media for all the news and updates
Instagram: / nvwoodwerks
Facebook: / nvwoodwerks
Twitter: / nvwoodwerks
Pinterest: / nvwoodwerks
#resincasting #resinart
Music Source: Epidemic Sound: www.epidemicsound.com/referra...

[@BrennaDraws]

Well I know what one of my dice projects is gonna be.

[@Roboboy17]

How did they turn out?

[@BrennaDraws]

@@Roboboy17 I haven't actually had a chance to. XD Things got hard last yera so didn't get a chance to buy as much in the way of resin supplies. Though I did make a cute set of dice for my SIL for her druid with dried lavender in from my garden :)

[@kathrineyamamoto4047]

The black makes it look like shell, so pretty!

[@StefanieMystery]

Soooo true ^^

[@annettegongora156]

Yes like real abalone!

[@isidoreaerys8745]

The black swirl def looked awesome. Really illustrative of why Opal cutters are so insistent upon the “black body tone” which is why lightning ridge black opals are worth so much more than clear crystal Opals

[@brandonmccain5983]

I have a good bit of...well bits and spare crystal opal. Doublet material and jars full of Crystal bits (andamooka, LR, and Queensland), Coober Pedy bits (white), dark crystal lightning ridge bits, very bright and sits very well over treated andamooka matrix bits, sandstoney type (fairy opal) and also dark iron colored body tone koroit (yowah) opal bits with plenty rainbow lightning bolts running through them 🌈 😬 this paired with the bright crystal opal bits inside a floating opal is a eye pleaser! I also have tons of other material to play with. To name a few. Gulf oyster, I'm from louisiana and shucked oysters for a period and kept a few shells that stuck out. Not your typical white shell. They have great dark tones, reds purples and golds and a id say with a digital army camo mother of pearl pattern along with tons of pearls. Various shells. Abalone and what not. Right now I'm working on a pendant sliced spiral snail shell inlayed with some top grade welo I had collecting dust. The backing is purple heart, which I have a variety of nice slices of around 12 different exotic woods, which I use for various projects, built my dad a lamp and charging station for his phone came out better than expected. nice cheap bid on eBay. Score! This gave me an idea between using a piece of solid opal crystal or perhaps a thick doublet joined to a piece of boulder rough. Veiny koroit should do, via epoxy resin with some crushed glow in the dark phosphorus mixed in. Then cut (rectangle) or carved and inlayed into a slice of inlayed wood for a border then set in a pendant mount. Nice little process but should make a nice gift for someone. Enough rambling. Time to eat me a bit 😬 of food, then back to the opals.

[@slapitman]

Such a great idea. As a guitar maker I will definitely be trying this for inlay work. Love the idea of potentially pouring it directly into the CNC cut inlay recesses on a fretboard.

[@tdkrei]

Hi Zac. Boy you got close to capturing the real Opal. I am a retired Manufacturing jeweler and have set many Opals. I might suggest after watching you in your great artistic talents maybe add a little very small white flake and a littler less interference for a different look. Some common Opal is slightly transparent. Thanks for all you hard work.

[@ZacHiggins]

Thanks for the ideas Terry!! I'll have to give those a shot and see how it works =D

[@tanyacollins9003]

Tdkrei or maybe a swirl of clear would do it

[@Quin_79]

Absolutely loved the black added to the pearls!!! They would make for VERY FUN AND FUNKY PIECES FOR AN EARRING, NECKLACE AND RING SET!!!

[@YesItsTom2U]

I've been playing with this over a year in my paintings. I finally have a really good opal effect. The trick is not to mix it in the resin (or paint for me) but to have multiple layers of textured surfaces that you rub the powder onto. You also need the gold interference and a good colorshift powder. I use Riddler from Didspade (teal green to purple shift). You might also want to try a gold to red shift from there too. Good luck!

[@ZacHiggins]

Those are some great tips!! I'll have to try that out, thank you for sharing =D

[@lynnsonmor4330]

Great video, while watching I was thinking of trying in my paintings . Thank you also for the tips 👍😊

[@markbrouhard8182]

YesItsTom2U do you have any KZbin videos or pics? I'd like to see what you're describing!

[@YesItsTom2U]

Mark Brouhard I’m not a KZbin video person, however if you give me an email address I can send you some pics of what I’m talking about.

[@Joge_yt]

@@YesItsTom2U I'd also like to see your finished product if you don't mind! I'm trying to plan a cast and I'd love any ideas to make it better. I'll msg you my email

[@keelygee8734]

The black added is stunning!!!

[@ying-syuanzeng4882]

I am so happy to came across this video!!! Can’t wait to try this recipe out for my next project!!! Thank you so much for sharing this and making a such informative video!!!❤️❤️❤️

[@crystallucius7280]

This is one of my favorites so far, definitely want to make dice like this! Thank you!

[@kawaiilombax]

This is a gorgeous method ! Especially the ones with black ! Wow !

[@PassionForNailArt]

Cool idea. Really liked the combination of black swirls with it !

[@cynthiaslater7445]

Your experiment turned out beautiful. Great idea for resin jewelry and any project. Thanks for sharing.

[@keilaniwilliams9311]

yay! i'll be trying to create a mother of pearl/ rose gold river table as my new desk. i'm so excited!

[@chrisharrison5974]

They are great results and look really easy. Definitely one I will be trying. Many thanks xx

[@barbatloosenutproductions2027]

Wow! Thank you, for sharing your tutorial. Many beautiful castings are now possible thanks to you! Many blessings to you and yours! 🤗👍💖

[@PrincessDelaniePants]

I’d love to see more of this! I’m trying so hard to make opal!

[@Temblett1]

This is the most epic find for me - thank you so much!

[@michellecrist653]

That black swirl was freaking awesome!!!!

[@tammymurphy1268]

Love the black in with the pearl💞

[@blackberrybunny]

OMG, I love it, especially with the black swirled in!

[@ZacHiggins]

Thanks Molly! Yeah, that black really makes it pop!

[@ShawContessa]

oh wow that black made it pop love it!!!

[@GIRLBOSS-1111]

They’re beautiful oh my goodness thank you for this video

[@jewellzify]

This would make a gorgeous counter top or table top especially with the black swirl! Thanks for sharing!

[@ferzandax3484]

I simply loved it!!! I've been searching for a technique like yours to make a little project I've been thinking of...

[@tereorru]

Beautiful results! thanks for sharing

[@AGee2217]

Thanks for sharing! Beautiful work!

[@robertcornelius3514]

You are doing an outstanding job with your videos.

[@1tera285]

Thank you, I've been playing around with these colors and have made so many fails. I have been playing around with resin and dichonic films with some really cool results :-) Love your videos, Thank you for sharing your knowledge and time, it's greatly appreciated

[@katedanks]

This is awesome. I love the ones with the black. It really reminds me of abalone shells. This is going into my next batch of pins! I already have all those powders too!

[@robinfeliciano9787]

This is absolutely beautiful! I exceptionally love the black in it. A lot of us do not have a pressure pot. I so want at least a small one but I know they are expensive. I so want to try this. 💖

[@valborchardt3596]

Thanks Zac. Real cool blanks you made. Love the colors. Look forward to another video. As always take care

[@ZacHiggins]

Thanks Val =D

[@ScrapwoodCity]

Very useful, thanks for sharing man!

[@pamcolechadwell1302]

WOW, That's gorgeous, Thank you

[@ajaamari175]

I love this! The color combo with the smidgen of black in it really gives me an idea for a clock design😍

[@vincetovar4472]

Going to make some black opal type scales. Great tips Zac! Thank you!

[@ZacHiggins]

Awesome!! That will look wicked!!

[@afoust781]

The one with the black is amazing! You did beautifully! 💖

[@ZacHiggins]

Thanks Amy!!

[@TheSilverlady1980]

I would love coasters in the pearl wow gorgeous.

[@AvaLiveLife]

Oh damn, I thought you’d show the show the whole process! Oh well, back to my other powders and resin video!

[@melissaphillis7247]

Yes! I was going to say a swirl of black would pop this, and voila! You had done it! First time watching you, very clever!

[@pjshat]

Love this! Great idea! Thank you!

[@brianbower30]

First time watcher, cool show loved it

[@jenniferlang1393]

Wow!! I'm thinking small projects, being a beginner. I fancy trying bookmarks and pendulums in opal/abalone. The black you added made it even more beautiful!!

[@shannonpeterson4891]

Beautiful!

[@lancemorgan651]

Stunning blanks Zac

[@dawnr714]

Omg, this is amazing!!!

[@LorieWitt]

The ones with the black are so cool

[@fredrowilson7659]

Great work!

[@creolepie]

It’s beautiful

[@YukonJack]

Your original cast was attractive and I'm sure it would accent some projects nicely. I will say though, the last one you showed with the black makes it go from good to great. That contrast makes everything pop in such a bold but elegant way. Nicely done 👍

[@stephenkrall7609]

Very cool....I really like that look. Love the black as well, it gave it a bit of a splated wood look.

[@ZacHiggins]

Yeah, it does look like spalting lines, didn't think of that before!

[@ferrosjewellers4558]

Perfect for fishing lures

[@srichmond32111]

I cannot thank you enough for this video! I have SO many ideas! Ill be making my disabled mother a opal lap tray as a gift for xmas foremost. Thanks again!

[@lorrainewilliams7896]

OMG I would love to see that when you are done.

[@rakka8257]

My daughters birthstone is opal, I’m going to try and make her some special things with this technique! Thank you for making and sharing!!! 😃

[@wendygray8725]

Love it. Getting some of that powder today

[@ElisaGPerez]

Absolutely beautiful, thank you so much for sharing.

[@ZacHiggins]

Thanks Elisa 😀

[@qct-ironladybeasley8258]

Love this will use it on table tops and carved jewelry

[@marumisu9560]

That looks amazing.

[@michaelhibbert4393]

Just cast some today Zac....in pressure pot now......love the ones with the black vein too....

[@suegore5929]

OOOH the black addition!!!!!!!

[@Pashanny824]

Wow! Awesome.

[@pattizimmerman7026]

This gave me lots of ideas!

[@ZacHiggins]

Awesome!! that's always my hope! Have fun bringing those ideas to life 😀

[@babujaan18]

Hello from mumbai india. Just saw this video and made myself a resin clock. It looks great-cant wait to unmold and see other side. Thank you🙏

[@barbaranyback1398]

Awesome very informative. Thank you

[@JordanWoodwerx]

Looks awesome Zac, blanks came out really good, thanks man!

[@ZacHiggins]

Thanks Jordan!!

[@ArtistWizardry]

Yeah, that's totally awesome!

[@dianazaalberg1993]

AWESOME! I bet I can do some cool looking Aurora borealis cabochons with this technique. Tried to figure out how to do that for a quite long time now. Thanks a bunch 😘👍

[@MileyonDisney]

Really cool effect! Thanks for sharing.

[@tattoo21]

That was what I was looking for thanks

[@darlaballenger2357]

OMG! The color matches my true pearl earrings. I'm a little hesitant on the red maybe a lighter shade or not as much red then I think it would probably be more true. That's just my opinion. All the pearls that I've seen on line are not Pearl you have hit the nail on the head. You are the only one I've seen use a pressure cooker. I guess I need to watch more of your videos. I need this pearl color as a base and I need some Coral Orange veins and some ocean color veins on a seashell sink. You have given me the colors to do it with. Thank you! it's beautiful.

[@jerichojoe307]

Has been talking about doing a project for my wife lately. She has asked me to produce a custom home theater speaker set. I've been dabbling with the idea of coating the sheet of wood that I make the boxes out of in epoxy and doing a stone effect, but then I seen this. Initially my wife stated that she wanted a white marble effect on the speakers, but having seen this and knowing how much she loves mother-of-pearl you've just enabled me to surprise my wife thank you.

[@HoneebunnySapphire]

Oh dang, the ones with the black streaks are exceptionally gorgeous! Thanks for sharing this!

[@JohnClothier]

They look really effective! Thanks for sharing!

[@ZacHiggins]

Thanks for checking it out brother!! Hope you can use it or a modified version sometime =D

[@falloutdiva]

The black one is amazing and it be amazing in a river table

[@bobbysmith8095]

wow these color look awesome, thanks for the video

[@ZacHiggins]

Thanks Bobby! Hope you can use it in a project =D

[@eggyboi1217]

I’ll definitely use this to make custom plugs and tunnels for my ears!

[@jerryc6147]

That's awesome. Exactly what I was looking for. I wanted to do mother of pearl inlays in my home made pool table. Now I can just chisel the diamonds about 3/16" deep and pour your recipe right into the cavities. With this information, I may just do some abalone mix inlay around the table perimeter like the fretboard inlays on my guitar. Thanks for sharing.

[@babysaho9576]

Beautiful

[@narantsetsegganbaatar690]

so cool thank you so much

[@carolineito9312]

That is perfect!!!!!!!!!

[@alanmullock381]

Beautiful blanks Zac,I'll have to have a practice with this! 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@ZacHiggins]

Thanks Alan!! I hope you do, let me know how it goes!!

[@rbfour5]

Definitely sparked a thought to make Faux MOP banjo tuner buttons. I will let you know how it turns out!

[@ZacHiggins]

Yes!! That would be awesome!! I can't wait to hear how it goes =D

[@taniaventurini4349]

Wowww. Risultato stupendo! 😍

[@tonysmith3143]

Zac you are my hero. Thanks Buddy

[@ZacHiggins]

Woohoo!! I don't think anyone's ever said that to me before, this is awesome!!! =D

[@stephaniehastings4418]

Super cool

[@imlistening1137]

Really pretty!

[@secretflower]

Amazing 🤩

[@williamhart4896]

That interference powder with the black resin looks good ,thanks for the upload

[@ZacHiggins]

Hope you have fun with it =D

[@TEMENSATUKOST]

cool idea, thanks man

[@rochelletucker6504]

Thank you!!!

[@Angel-rq3pi]

I use the exact same powders in my Dr. Martin's inks....fountain pens, dip pens, quills, etc. Also works well in water colours.

[@monicasickels7741]

~~AWESOME~~ I would love my counter tops to look like or maybe a back splash? Very Pretty Stuff!!!

[@metalgirl]

Nice. I will be experimenting with this. Thx.😝😁❤️

[@redpillgirl1843]

Wow, that’s nice!

[@tedspens]

They look great! I have to get me some of that interference powder. Thanks for the video!

[@ZacHiggins]

Thanks Ted! Can't wait to see what you make =D

[@chandarussell]

Those would be beautiful after being all polished up. The ones with the black in it look like the pau shell jewellery I picked up in New Zealand. It’s gorgeous.

[@orsonkaart1853]

I like that a lot! Thank you!

[@JeanineChisum]

Too cool!

[@ritzbye]

Amazing

[@MindToMade]

They looked pretty sweet! i will have to try this on one of my future projects 👏

[@ZacHiggins]

Nice!! Any projects in mind that you would like to use it on?

[@MindToMade]

@@ZacHiggins probably a ring

[@diydarkmatter]

very cool zac . resin sure is fun to play with .

[@ZacHiggins]

That's for sure!! Hope this technique sparks some cool ideas for you, got any projects in mind?