SECRETS of BOULDER OPAL: An Aussie Miner Tells His Tale

An Australian opal miner unveils the mysteries of boulder opal as he explains how it is formed, why the colors are so incredible, and what to look for when buying opal. You'll learn all about boulder opal, and see a rainbow-filled opal revealed for the first time after being hidden in a rock for millions of years.
CHAPTERS
00:28 - An introduction to Broken River Mining Company
4:34 - How are opals formed?
9:16 - Cracking open an Australian boulder opal
11:56 - How does opal get its color?
14:41 - Incredible deep blue opal explosion!
16:06 - A miner’s pocket rock
18:00 - Black Opal
19:58 - Doublets & Triplets
21:55 - Natural vs. Solid Opal
24:00 - Opal buying tips
25:40 - Opal wood replacement
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Thanks to Dan Leibowitz for providing most of the music in this video through KZbin's Audio Library.
#opal #gemstones #rocks

[@fionabeale3245]

So educational and not in a boring way I love opal and I’m alway hungry to learn more so thank you for including this on your channel 🙂

[@KatyDidRocks]

I'm so glad!

[@gregderksen1996]

Omg omg omg omg! This was awesome! The time absolutely flew by while watching this. Fantastic job on the editing Kate! Those little chapter books with the video insert, nice touch! Speaking of touch…. I’d love to get my grubby lil hands on some of that. Just like that amazing blue one he demonstrated with.

[@KatyDidRocks]

I have some that I brought home - although they aren't QUITE that big. :D

[@AngusMurray]

This is an absolutely fantastic explanation about the formation of boulder opal!

[@KatyDidRocks]

He does a gr at job, doesn’t he?

[@alongway99]

Love, love your opals. The blue one is exquisite. Would love to see the opal fluorescence under a UV light.

[@RufotrisRootedRockhound]

Wow thanks for sharing this! Wonderfully filmed and edited. This was so awesome of him to share all this info, and give you the time, and allow you to share this with us all! They are so lucky to get to have that life of opal miners! I’m colorblind too so I understand his pain. I can see colors but they aren’t the same as what everyone else sees. I have a harder time spotting the reds and telling the difference between green & yellow, or blue & purple. But I can still see colors, I just get them wrong often 😅. I’m proud to say I knew a lot of the info but also very glad to say I learned some good stuff in this video! Always happy to learn more about anything to do with rocks! Thanks again for sharing. 🤘 rock on.

[@donnabeaudin9114]

Wow! This was wonderful information! This man is a living encyclopedia of all things Opal! I learned a lot, thanks Kate!👍👍👍

[@KatyDidRocks]

Yes, he really does a great job.

[@ohmike813]

This fellow is a great teacher. His explanations are easily understood.thanks Mike

[@KatyDidRocks]

They really are!

[@ronaldolson3393]

Best talk on Opal I’ve seen in more than 50+ years of Opal buying and Collecting

[@KatyDidRocks]

He did a great job, didn't he?

[@marlamorey5914]

Freakin fantastic information and he made it clear and concise for us opal rookies. Beautiful opals. Love the dark blue but would take any. Thanks for sharing with us

[@blindsquirrelrocks]

One of the most educational videos I've seen in quite a while! When is episode #2?

[@KatyDidRocks]

He's really amazing, isn't he? :) I suspect he has more to say.

[@ROCKINWHEELERS]

MISSED THE LIVE. I am SENIOR DISABLED and Feel ASLEEP. Now WATCHING REPLAY.

[@largent45]

So wonderful kate! The information is invaluable! And that man is wonderful. His presentation is so wonderful, so informational, so darn perfect and the teaching tools of boulder opal he has is perfect! OMG! Just wonderful! Thank you so much for that. I could have listened to him for hours! So full of valuable information. Wow! and i hope you came home with tons of this mans opal! Its gorgeous and amazing! just wow! Thank you Kate! im just in awe! Its rare im struck speechless. But i am!

[@KatyDidRocks]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I knew the presentation was very special - so I worked to make it as visually special as I could as well.

[@largent45]

@@KatyDidRocks You did such an awesome job! And it was so visually stunning! The editing and the presentation were perfect! So, so good!

[@michaelprue9024]

I’ve always been fascinated with Opal. Always. Diamonds are cool. Rubys and Emeralds are awesome. And the rest of the gemstones are really cool. But Opal, aww man Opal just has always grabbed me and kept my interest. Always. So I’ve been following Justin with Black Opal Direct. And the Colonel with Pulitzer Opal, etc. And watching the shows on Discovery with the Opal Hunters. But this video here, this was very VERY informational. Thank you so much. I will never forget this one.

[@KatyDidRocks]

Thanks so much, Michael! Ash did a great job presenting.

[@lorenrobertson8039]

It is always a treasure to hear the history from an elder and hear all about what they have learned and experienced. His experience and love of boulder opal is just as important as a miner expert from any other Australian opal field. Thank you Katy for interviewing this great man! All opal and minerals are so interesting and beautiful. I am so used to watching Justin/Black Opal Direct cutting mostly Lightening Ridge opal, but he has on occasion worked boulder opal. I think it is much harder to work with to get a top notch gem from. But I Love crystal opals as opposed to black opals. It's just my preference! To each their own! What matters in opal gems is how well they hold up...and if they are prone to cracking or chipping, they don't make good jewelry. But still his specimens are just gorgeous!

[@KatyDidRocks]

They're all beautiful!

[@brucevanderzanden9638]

Hello Kate! This is a great, informative and educational video on boulder opal! Thank you so very much for taking the time to make this. Keep on doing!

[@virginiahudson3827]

Wow wow wow, on every level. Thanks for sharing your encounter with this awesome Aussie.

[@racheldavis5482]

Thank you so much for sharing this! 😁❤💕

[@janehelbert7551]

Those are beautiful!

[@nhrockaholic6038]

Wow, amazing. Thanks for sharing.

[@Original_Auburn]

That was great. Very informative.

[@patriciamckean4186]

Wow, black opal. Very informative. Thanks for sharing.

[@mariap.2608]

Great little lecture! Very informative.

[@kellyharper367]

Old disabled house bound dusty rusty rockhound here: Superb information 👌! Well presented. Thanks Katy for taking us there!!!

[@KatyDidRocks]

Hi, Kelly! Thanks for watching!

[@janketza0206]

What a great Video! Thanks, Katy-did-good! Looking forward to seeing what you do with what you purchased.

[@tott3457]

Really enjoyed!!! He was very knowledgeable and gracious!

[@KatyDidRocks]

He really was!

[@AndriasKaasa]

Great video. Ty

[@mariemoss2475]

Totally fascinating... and beautiful 💕

[@juliemckenna514]

That was so interesting and informative. Thanks for sharing Kate 😊❤️

[@KatyDidRocks]

Thank you - he did a great job!

[@judyhobday4760]

great information.

[@toinettevanschalkwyk8378]

Wow, that was so interesting! Thank you for sharing!

[@KatyDidRocks]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@WooberGoober]

That was one of the best rock videos I have ever seen! Not sure I have seen anything more stunning, than the specimens this gentleman has. Thanks very much for this! I was just curious- some of those pieces must be worth incredible amounts of money. Do you think they ever have to worry about security?

[@JnVrockhounding]

That was so interesting and of course educational. Loved it. Thank you.

[@raouldias6041]

Thanks for posting such A good video on Boulder opal. So compleet. And This mans knowledge And shaing It all is amazing. Thx from A opal lover And hobbyist.

[@jayvan4353]

I've watched what seems to be hours of those Australian opal Discovery shows and not a single one has ever explained the process so well.

[@KatyDidRocks]

Ash (the miner) does a wonderful job with his presentation, for sure!

[@robbybobby6466]

I love opal. This was very informing. My favorite is all types.

[@KatyDidRocks]

Ha, me too!

[@les5377]

GREAT VIDEO, VERY INFORMATIVE I'LL NEVER WATCH AUSSIE OPAL HUNTERS THE SAME WAY AGAIN

[@donaldwilson2548]

Great geography and history lesson, such beautiful pieces of Boulder Opal. I'll try and get to the Tucson show in 2024, will stop by your booths. I'm taking myself to northern Nevada, Virginia Valley, in late August, something that's been on my bucket list for 30 years, looking forward to meeting you in 2024 at the big show. Kindest regards, Don Wilson, Tacoma, Washington.

[@KatyDidRocks]

Thanks!

[@rebeccaofsunnybrookefarm8469]

Thanks for taking the time Katie, I appreciate it

[@KatyDidRocks]

Thanks, Rebecca! His info was so great, it was worth the effort. :)

[@rebeccaofsunnybrookefarm8469]

@@KatyDidRocks agreed

[@redeyestones3738]

Great video. I was already aware of most of the info in this video, but this was one of the best presentations of that information. Cheers

[@KatyDidRocks]

Thank you!

[@watuatohgems63]

Amazing😍😍😍

[@stacy-northernauroratreasu4120]

So beautiful and very informative. Thank you for sharing this with us. Am a newbie but have always loved rocks. Opals are so beautiful. 😊

[@KatyDidRocks]

You are so welcome! Ash (the miner) was so generous with his time.

[@1bigtree896]

Wow, very informative, opal is a fascinating gem!!😊

[@KatyDidRocks]

It really is.

[@jetegtmeier71]

Thank you for the video, Very educational :)

[@KatyDidRocks]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@wyomingadventures]

Thanks Kate! I learned a lot about opals that I never knew before. Shared on my channel and Facebook.

[@KatyDidRocks]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@ccccarriemchardy9216]

Great teacher!. Its fantastic to learn more about the stone and its formation.

[@KatyDidRocks]

He really did a great job.

[@aleta5873]

Very interesting. I love to hear especially about the geological history and why things land where they do . He knows how the landscape has change and shifted. I love that info..THANKS Katy...

[@aleta5873]

Last time I saw him teaching Dave (Lapidary) and showed the illustrations, rocks.

[@virginiarocks]

Wow! Thank you SO much I really enjoyed that. I will have to try and get to Tucson next year

[@KatyDidRocks]

It was quite a trip - I immediately started planning next year as soon as I got home. :D

[@avacadman2155]

So very interesting and educating!! Thank you! I have boulder Opals in some of my jewellery. I just adore Opals. 👍👍👍💗💗💗💗

[@KatyDidRocks]

Ash did an amazing job presenting.

[@thefeatheredfrontiersman8135]

That was the best presentation for specifically boulder opal I have ever seen. I had no idea that I had a pocket opal and what that actually means. I'll definitely ask.

[@KatyDidRocks]

Glad you enjoyed it, TFF! He definitely knows his stuff.

[@TreeLynnT]

Gorgeous

[@KatyDidRocks]

I agree!

[@savagesquirrel9828]

Amazing presentation! Such a nice guy. Wow. Solid opals are the way to go, then. Thanks! I do wonder why some opals are to be kept in water. Are they not “ripe?”

[@Leafbinder]

This isnt the Black opal dealer i buy from but I sure learned a lot from this video Thank You, also if you put your ethopian opal in water the color will dissappear for a couple days untill it completely drys out again but dont use a hair dryer on them they will crack.

[@streuthify]

Awesome video!! Why do they kee the Opal wet?

[@rotisumbuErikGemstone]

Sangat mempesona dan menyilaukan mata ❤

[@KatyDidRocks]

Wah, terima kasih banyak!

[@skryptto6289]

The amount of knowledge I have learned in this videos is incredible! I truly hate when people complain but those chosen few who teach and mentor are just amazing people. They want to grow the knowledge and tune people into their passion or specialties and it’s awesome. Especially when they’re treasure hunters. Truly amazing people!

[@KatyDidRocks]

I agree. Ash did a fantastic job with his explanation - I loved spending time with him.

[@jessewilson8676]

One day you will make enough from your KZbin account to escape the brutal Montana winter and experience the Australian spring/summer find some of your own.

[@KatyDidRocks]

Wouldn’t that be amazing?

[@sutamacenel777metaldetekto8]

Waooo mantaf banget bang 🙏🙏👍❤❤

[@crystalgemstone]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@KatyDidRocks]

:)

[@TreeLynnT]

💝🤙🏼

[@KatyDidRocks]

[@MorgothWasMelkor]

this was very enjoyable , who is this man ?

[@KatyDidRocks]

His name is Ashley, and he is from Broken River Mining. He's really amazing.

[@trptrungblogs]

🎉❤🎉❤

[@janehelbert7551]

That looks like rings of a tree! <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="410">6:50</a>

[@leannaerickson9745]

😃

[@KatyDidRocks]

:)

[@NKRice]

Wow! You did a great job on this video. I feel like I am getting smarter. Could that be?

[@KatyDidRocks]

100% yes! - thanks to Ashley the Aussie Opal Miner. :)

[@mawi1172]

I want to see you cab that. Or your hubby.🎉😂🎉😂🎉

[@KatyDidRocks]

Sadly, none of these rocks are ours.

[@Kerrsartisticgifts]

Can you dissolve the ironstone?

[@KatyDidRocks]

Not without harming the opal.

[@magpiefrogfrom2556]

I've said all along that opal is a load of old balls and I was right. 😂😂😂

[@KatyDidRocks]

Ha!

[@albertmckellar9911]

Eromanga to Tuscon

[@KatyDidRocks]

:)

[@angelwhite376]

Why does boulder opal not have movement like a good black opal or a crystal opal. They move the color moves. Boulder opal you have color but no movement.. take a lightning ridge black opal and a boulder opal. Theirs a big difference.

[@KatyDidRocks]

There is! I think it has to do with the thickness of the opal. The pocket stone he showed me had some color movement, but certainly not as much as a Lightning Ridge opal.

[@johnnyappleseed2058]

Wonderful video but the background chatter and (music?) Drowns out much of the narration!

[@KatyDidRocks]

There were a lot of people there, for sure - next time I'll be sure to bring a lapel mic if I do any interviews. Thanks for the feedback!

[@kaynefryday1251]

That real light pale Boulder Opal is just not good looking opal

[@Attiues]

Don't give advise on this

[@KatyDidRocks]

No, mostly information.

[@CalebP618]

Bro talks too much

[@KatyDidRocks]

😂 He had a lot to say!

[@chrisballard7594]

Thanks

[@KatyDidRocks]

Thanks for watching!