Smaller gem rough opal with bright colours - Packs a punch - I'm going in!

[@michaelmccabe3921]

You don’t need the voiceover Justin - don’t DE-personalize it. The personal stuff and your banter have always been the good thing about your channel.

[@kevinnistor1954]

I mean I don't care at all, but i fs had to double check which channel i was watching

[@notcasimir]

I’m sure he just forgot to record an intro and whoever edited his video needed one to continue so they thought on the fly. Relax guys 😂

[@kevinnistor1954]

@notcasimir no it's inexcusable

[@notcasimir]

@@kevinnistor1954 Spoken like a true Dwight.

[@kevinnistor1954]

@@notcasimir 😂

[@MarkS61]

Another great cut! But that voice over intro was kind of weird. I had to double check to make sure it was a real Black Opal video and not a ripoff.

[@blackopaldirect]

Haha its just a trial so that good feedback

[@MarkS61]

Keep up the awesome content! If someone had told me two years ago that I would be watching Opal cutting videos I would have laughed! Now I'm a dedicated viewer! ​@@blackopaldirect

[@Pan_Galactic_Gargle_Blaster]

I thought I was on the wrong channel for a moment

[@Critically_Chill]

I did the same thing thinking he was being pirated. The tone seemed AI. If Justin wants smooth intros with the tone and serene calmness we come for he can hit me up.

[@TreeCutterDoug]

Same!

[@fredrickran19]

Love it! Minus the opening AI sounding intro

[@jamiemctainsh3267]

Had me wondering if Justin has been hacked. Also got some weird message about adjusting frame rate.

[@blackopaldirect]

I’ll see what I can do about that! Thanks for the feedback

[@NomadUniverse]

@@blackopaldirect Mate if I can be honest it was a little strange having an American narrator on such an Aussie channel, it just didn't fit at all. Something else small I noticed, ""New frames need analyzing; click Analyze" banner at 4:15 You do a very good job with what you do already bud. Your content is great the way it is. You always get the lighting spot on, the editing, the different angles, it all just works. I full well know as a fellow creator though you want to keep things fresh so I 100% respect the efforts all the same. At the end of the day our opinions are just opinions and subjective. Objectively, you're by far the best opal channel on KZbin.

[@legend7ify]

@@jamiemctainsh3267 same

[@-._just_.me_.]

I love this channel for it's raw, natural and unpretentious presentation. I know that I can trust the content because it is real and there is nothing fake about it. That stone presented some challenges, completely agree about putting them down and coming back to them with fresh eyes. That methodology has saved me from ruining many gems.

[@Critically_Chill]

❤

[@blackopaldirect]

Glad you think so!

[@PatrickLeonardva]

You are so generous to share the artistry of your profession - the wins and the disappointments - more so, the arc of learning everyday from your experience and now start to share with your son - it’s amazingly riveting.

[@blackopaldirect]

Thanks! It’s fun to share the journey.

[@wiseguysoutdoors2954]

Every episode is riveting. Keep doing what you do so well, Justin. Well done, Mate!!

[@cheltinker7709]

Opal is my favourite stone always has been but I found your channel not to long ago by accident. I typed in opal hoping to see some opals up close and your channel popped up and I haven't stopped watching it since. so a big thank you for scratching that itch. Don't need to watch any other channels as yours is just the best on KZbin ❤

[@voivode2591]

Thanks for your efforts. I truly do enjoy your videos. You don’t need the AI. Stay true to yourself. It’s one of the things I enjoy about your videos.

[@ebonfae9936]

I prefer Justin’s wonderful accent! Be you, we love your channel!!!❤❤❤

[@ebonfae9936]

Or have Tamika do it!!!!❤

[@TheGutterFrog]

What a gorgeous stone. Very Rainbow like with all the colors in it.

[@Debbie_YorkieMom]

You were missing your winners dance. LOL It turned out to be a gorgeous opal. Thanks for sharing! God bless!

[@jeffreymcintyre6037]

Another great stone. It almost looks like an iris of an eye. Beautiful opal.

[@jeffreymcintyre6037]

I agree with the other statements that what makes your channel, so great is you and your son and all the other people. I agree that the way you have been doing it is what I enjoy the best about your videos. Other than the teaching lessons you provide me. I would like it to be all about you and your history and your capabilities and your sincerity. Just wanted to give you my two cents worth. Keep up the great work. I know we all appreciate you. You are the reason I cut opals.

[@majorgruber5925]

When I used to cut stones, opals were always my favorite. Even with loops, you really couldn't tell what was just behind the current layer of colours, so it was a continual expedition into new and marvelous sights. I managed to not work "traditionally" through most of my teen years by going to gem shows and selling my cut opals. Jelly opals were really popular, and some of the Indonesian ones I collected in my youth were some of my favorites. But nothing really quite compares to a fine quality black opal. Lovely work. Thank you for sharing.

[@patricklarkin4389]

That turned out really amazing!! It’s like looking at a universe from far away nice cut and beautiful process to get there ❤️💕

[@LeoR-e6h]

Justin, The process was fantastic, definitely creating a beautiful Crystal Opal. 🎉🎉

[@blackopaldirect]

I’m glad you like it!

[@KelvieCarlile-cf8em]

I too was thrown upon hearing that unusual sounding intro. But fear not for the man with magic hands has arrived.

[@brandypresley1869]

WOWWWWW!!!! BEAUTIFUL STUNNING GEM JUSTIN. THIS 1 IS OFF THE CHARTS❤❤❤❤

[@maxshayani9166]

You´re certainly a master in your work.

[@stuartrochon9999]

Love the final touch polish, it is amazing how the last bit makes such a difference.

[@Chiknlitl]

Even your presentation boxes are beautiful.

[@SamuelGarcia-x3z]

Do you sell those boxes?

[@patriciamoore348]

Expressive ❤ they're all always so beautiful.

[@simonturner1460]

Absolutely beautiful opal 🏵️ mesmerising stone. I'm saving to perches one of your jems,, great video by the way 👍👍

[@azzash2oaddictions964]

Love cutting opal . My biggest wins have been my cheapest purchases and some of my biggest losses have been rough that looks amazing. Really is an amazing gemstone. Love your channel mate and the way you show everyone the battles and joys of opal cutting . ❤

[@garyinsalaco9530]

Absolutely gorgeous stone ,great play of colors ,I love❤ watching your videos ,and you have good looking family,have a very Merry Christmas and New Year ,God bless .

[@blackopaldirect]

Merry Christmas!

[@naomib8282]

I never understood why my mother thought opal was the best gem because I was really unimpressed. Now I realize that what I had seen was not natural but some cheap imitation. This stone converted me with that final reveal. You made it clear that not only is nature an artist but the one who brings all that fire to light.

[@steveclark4291]

Thank you Justin for sharing this with me ! The Opal turned out very beautiful !

[@silverback5033]

Another great gem you have cut & polished Justin. The end result was a real surprise after seeing it at the start.

[@greenspiritarts]

Lovely stone!! I loved the organic shape… and the pattern was amazing! I agree with the other comments folks have made and I’m sure you have the message. I get that creators of content like to experiment….for this viewer I appreciate that your videos usually have a familiar flow and story but the central character (the OPAL!) is always new and fresh… and you show us why. It’s very satisfying to have content that is both exceptionally familiar ( you, your voice, the shop, crew etc) and yet the focus is on the unknown story that unfolds with each gem. It’s a perfect formula and as a viewer, I never get tired of it. Thanks for sharing your artistry! 💖

[@michealklonowski5267]

I love that voice of reasoning and experiences and how it transfers in to cutting the opal. thank you for sharing the adventure and information and experiences awesomeness

[@blackopaldirect]

I appreciate that!

[@someguy-k2h]

I don't know if you had that voice over before, but I was shocked when I heard it. I had to check the channel to be sure I clicked on the right video. I understand changing things up and trying things out. Please just keep it to the people on camera. This disembodied voice makes it sound like some slick Discovery Channel opal show. I want to hear that unmistakable Aussie voice telling me everything I need to know.

[@zoinkaboose]

Gotta fill that safe boss! Beautiful opal, and I DID like the new video format. Looking forward to many more content from you folks. Happy holidays!

[@bobross5580]

Absolutely beautiful gem comes to life with your skills and humility, the way you talk about these things unearthed is just as important as the value of the finished piece!! Thank you, sir.

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you so much 😀

[@Joppe253]

So nice that you let Tamika do the intro for this one :)

[@blackopaldirect]

lol

[@lloydbellis7360]

Stunning gem. Master craftsman at work. Thank you 😎😎😎👍👍👍

[@opaladdictjoe]

man that is some nice color..Always awesome to see!!

[@amberandrews6842]

What a spectacular gem! Fantastic cut, absolutely gorgeous colors! Just so much going on inside that! 🥰🥰 The intro voice was making me think it was someone pretending to be your channel! LOL

[@ARC.475]

Don't change a thing Justin, your videos are perfect as they are ❤ The intro got me very confused 😂 I thought I'm in the wrong channel 😂

[@thomaskunz3726]

Congrats on the image quality improvements! Audio is now fine too, all the crackles are gone. Keep going in :) Namaste from Switzerland

[@blackopaldirect]

Merry Christmas !

[@judithfairchild8620]

That stone is a frozen rainbow it's Gorgeous!!!!!! Thanks for sharing.

[@trunkmonkey9417]

A gorgeous slice of Pi

[@susiebee122]

Opal has always been my favorite stone other than the diamond. so beautiful

[@Jaireeopal]

Such a beautiful opal ,so genmy ❤❤❤.thanks for sharing

[@benkirkland5354]

I like that display box!

[@dmpn2994]

You were able to find "right" round-curved surface between all of the sand cavities. Good job, top nutch!!

[@domesticterror7970]

I'm hoping you will cut another all seeing eye! That said, the butterfly wing is gorgeous!

[@douglassauvageau7262]

Opal was my mother's birthstone. I gifted her with several examples which fit my budget, yet reflected my admiration.

[@douglassauvageau7262]

My mother has left her great-grand-daughters a beautiful legacy.

[@paigey1995-]

What a beauty 😻 great video as always!!!! Beginning was weird but nothing serious i couldn't get used too 🤷🏻‍♀️😝☺️

[@markpashia7067]

The Pi stone - 3.14 carats. Beautiful stone. Set in gold would make an amazing tie tack. Or a ring of course. Don't know why but I often envision opal set in silver but this one cries out for a gold setting to me.

[@millingwithmike8189]

Great video Saxon!! 🎉

[@nancycurtis7315]

It's lovely, Justin. Love it.😊

[@blackopaldirect]

Thanks Nancy

[@nancycurtis7315]

Please, no more AI. Great for what!. The honest tones in voice. Dedication to your dad. Love channel. Basic. Teach us. That is your gift. Just let us newbie lot encouraged. I can not afford rough from you. Because not experienced. Just need cheap n cheerful. I can not afford to purchase yours yet. I'll get there!

[@theadventuresofsmokyq]

My wife and I enjoy watching you go in. Very nice this time on getting those sand spots out. It looked like it was a pain to do so. Hope yer having a great day.

[@blackopaldirect]

Haha you guys are so sweet!

[@susannesamuelsson2930]

Sand seems to be the big enemy in opals who decide the outcome, size, and shape! I think you did a great job, Justin, and I do love crystal opals! 👋💎👍

[@helendreyer5710]

Another really beautiful gem. Thank you for sharing!

[@thenodiggardener]

It's a beautiful cut, and no doubt very useful for those also on a cutting learning path.

[@badomaji]

Great format, very interesting. Liked the background stories.

[@juliafayeconner594]

That’s beautiful!

[@vipercreatchure1766]

😂 keeping us all on our toes with the voice over love it kinda bummed the live had technical difficulties as always was looking forward to it

[@justinlunn7854]

Wow. Justin I love ya work! Merry Christmas to you & the family lots of love!

[@woodie-ia]

It's a rainbow 🌈 every opal are so unique i don't know how you ever come up with earrings.

[@blackopaldirect]

Noted!

[@markpashia7067]

I thought a set of buttons would be amazing but with each being their own character it would be nearly impossible to make a set. Even a pair is hard.

[@Lord-Shadow]

Love seeing the results of your work

[@canonicaltom]

Actually love that it has a little flaw

[@amberandrews6842]

🥰🥰🥰 I agree! Just like people, our flaws give character.

[@kimetherington2252]

Justin is doing his Justin magic! Mother Nature created it, and BOD finished it! Catch you on the next. ✌️ 😊

[@shelleysteward3041]

Absolutely stunning gem.

[@PatrickWilson-v3d]

I’d called it Mother Earth…She is GORGEOUS SIR…WELL DONE..❤❤❤ AMAZING JUSTIN…❤

[@pietermeulendijks7667]

Great stuff again!! Keep um coming!! High from Amsterdam>

[@kaynef6637]

Absolutely stunning , love your work 👍

[@jaynerichards7527]

Without your skill this beautiful gem would have been lost.

[@someguy-k2h]

Hey Justin, has anyone in opal ever tried using a sand blasting gun? It's a great way to remove about a tenth of a millimeter at a time to see beneath the surface. It would give you an unobscured view of the color an some idea of the pattern. It's not as good as rubbing, but you can quickly (1-2 seconds) peel away the skin to show the best places to focus.

[@CrimFerret]

Gorgeous gem!

[@joeharrison3011]

Great video guys.longtime fan from newzealand😊

[@troyasimus3944]

Awesome colour and pattern 👌👍🤙✌️😁❤️

[@blackopaldirect]

It sure does!

[@lindak8664]

The “walk away” strategy. It took me years to learn to just _put it down and walk away._ (Whatever “it” happens to be) Often times, by the time you come back to it, you realise whatever the problem was, it’s no where near as bad as you thought. Although occasionally it is actually worse 😖 😂

[@blackopaldirect]

That is so true!

[@dcs4219]

I liked the play of color throughout the entire stone where it still had the two sand pits. The final cut is perfection of course, and better than most stones available here in the USA. But I still like the dazzle of the imperfect version best.

[@blackopaldirect]

I'm glad you appreciated the sandpits!

[@kevanstreeter2431]

The opening is not working for me Justin, have it as an intro chapter so we can flick past it to the real stuff please.

[@Jillysmom63]

wow, thats one of the best ones.. not black but still..all the colors!

[@blackopaldirect]

glad you liked it!

[@robertkreiling1746]

As always just amazing

[@jamesmatheson5115]

This video had an old time feeling about it, it was different and thats ok, beautiful gem.

[@samanthafairweather9186]

What's with the weird Seppo, AI opening? You could've used Australian sounding AI. 😂 Weird AI aside - The stone was great! It looked larger in the thumbnail, so I was shocked at how small it was. But, as they say, "Good things come in small packages". And, for seam opal, it was the best! Hope everyone at the B.O.D family have a great Christmas and New Year's, and that yous get some fishing in during the Chrissy break. ( There's a massive blackout in my area due to the heatwave in Sydney today)! Keep cool, and many happy returns guys! 🎁 🧑🏼‍🎄🎄🏄🏼🏖️🎣💝🇭🇲

[@kathybrandt6060]

What a beautiful stone.

[@Riley-yy1yv]

I wasn’t a fan of the AI voiceover. Justin’s voice is iconically BOD. I really liked the rest though! The opal today was a real stunner.

[@donaldinnewmexico]

Beautiful. Thanks, Justin.

[@nomadscavenger]

Thanks again for a happy ending video. That opal will look so beautiful on all sides as well as from any angle on top; in platinum w/wide-spaced prongs on a basket w/a diamond surround? Great work, and wish I had that one, for sure! (Who's doing that intro, by the way? AI?)

[@blackopaldirect]

just trying new things!

[@dmd2652]

Thap purple is amazing its more like fuchsia just beautiful

[@stephaniebray3983]

Very exciting!

[@funnyfarm74]

It just glows❤

[@tracyormandy9707]

Bloody beautiful 😍 😊

[@landrion7]

That color is fantastic I was worried with all that sand but if anyone could do it would be you

[@allysonca]

I've wondered why a first exploratory sandblast to the clay and sand could help expose the opal instead of grinding so much of the surface away?

[@juliafayeconner594]

I love that one!

[@richardbailey3343]

Can't you use some kind of corrosive liquid to rid the stone of sand and gubbins before you start the sanding process?. Regards 😊

[@numpty7750]

This might be a terrible idea 🤷‍♂️ But might a small sand blasting cabinet be useful to you? You could clean a lot more of the crud off the stones before you cut them. So you can see more easily what you’ve got to work with and not lose any colour you don’t have to.

[@maretteschulz8898]

Mesmerising🥰🥰

[@Gary85Paul]

Beautiful stone!

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@stevenseltzer3589]

Absolutely beautiful 😊

[@blackopaldirect]

Thanks! It is a stunner.

[@happybaals]

What about a brush wheel to remove all sand first?

[@MrTurtleMontana]

She's a looker, that's for sure!

[@haiderhadi5725]

Mate your opals as beautiful as your heart.

[@tobiasniedoba2350]

Hi Justin, Why dont you Sand Blast die Sandstone away to asess a Stone better at the beginning of your cut? Depending on you abasive Material it Should Leave the hard Opal in tact?

[@blackopaldirect]

Sometimes the sand take the shape if the back of the stone, although you could do this with an opal you intent on making a free form out of! I have never seen this method used so I can’t comment on sandblasting!

[@brigitteraaijmakers4599]

Beautiful ❤

[@KigenEkeson]

Gotta say, all that sand was really scary. I would have been really tempted to flip the stone and make the back the top.

[@arthurjones9580]

Beautiful!

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you!