Taking risks with opal: see if the gamble pays off.

blackopaldirect... Watch Justin Take a huge Risk to slice off gem color in the opal. The blade is so close to his fingers, one slip and his fingertips are gone. Some opal cutter won't even attempt this but Justin gives it a go for his viewers.

[@lillylake]

I’m now addicted to watching videos about opals! Fascinating to watch!

[@blackopaldirect]

Whitey says NO! Well I do hope I have helped in that addiction 😆

[@Abby_the_cat]

Whos whitey

[@StarBingBright]

LillyLake 🌸 Me too 🌸

[@TheJonn14]

LillyLake me too! Such a nice channel.

[@janetflint2817]

LillyLake Me too ..love watching

[@WwHalo2wW]

I love coming back to your old videos and seeing how you’ve learned so much over the years. I love seeing how much your confidence has grown

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you being in front of the camera is not natural for me

[@TheUmbrex]

would have never thought those 2 gems came off the same stone

[@misschloeelizabeth8616]

I hold my breath everytime you carve 😅 the sound reminds me of the dentist, but this is much better than being at the dentist! Beautiful opal!

[@blackopaldirect]

Thanks Chloe I mean Miss Chloe :-) I can remind me too of the dentist

[@russellnentwich8745]

I don’t know why one of your videos popped up on my suggested videos but I am hooked on your content now! Great work sir!

[@corporateworldwokeslave3589]

He actually had a nice full head of hair before cutting this one .

[@blackopaldirect]

corporate world woke slave 😆😆😆

[@WearySecret]

No doubt, been trying to cab some low grade jelly opal, my hair is thinning a bit and my fingernails are down to nubs. Black opal though, stakes are untouchably high for me. $$$

[@corporateworldwokeslave3589]

@@WearySecret where are you ?

[@tigertiger1699]

Priceless 👍😂

[@acpgunner2336]

@@WearySecret I just cut my first opal, Ethopian jelly. Cant imagine the nerves of cutting Australian black opal haha.

[@eddeh0772]

I LOVE your videos. It kills me every time I watch you make a hard decision like that and whittle away good stone for a better final shape. I kinda love the unique character of the “impurities” you’re trying to save, feels like an odd personality of a stone, and part of me wants that fire red to invade the pure emerald tone for a unique cut. Maybe there’s no market for that. No matter what, you are a master to have made a separate stoned out of that. Well done

[@christinechildress5021]

Wow 🤩. No guts no glory! I’m so glad I found your channel. Going through the old videos is amazing 😻. Can’t get enough Justin. Love all the “guest “ you bring on with you. You look like a fun group of people. I wish we all had a boss like you

[@seigedrakonera5689]

Your a mad man! But in all seriousness amazing work you've got the hands of a neurosurgeon. Both pieces are brilliant, amazing work man.

[@blackopaldirect]

Seige Drakonera thank you 🙏

[@muhammadwasapedophile2251]

*Chances make champions! Nice job, Justin! I love your channel! Its helped me have a whole new appreciation for opal. I can't believe it took me 37 years to realize how wonderful and beautiful my birth stone, opal, truly is.*

[@blackopaldirect]

I am happy to have helped ❤️

[@madorganicscientist2527]

Woaw sooo lucky I’ve been doing opal lapidary for about 3 years now and know that was not at all easy and very breath taking, thank you Justin for sharing this with us all

[@hardworkingamerican8847]

If they haven't been set yet maybe a setting with both . The two opals spent a long time together maybe a little longer wouldn't hurt . My mom was in the jewelry business for 35 plus years and I learned a bit . Opal's and other similar minerals are so beautiful . Been doing a bunch of clean up in and around our office finding lots of forgotten things that I have kept from storage units I bought . Have to bring home things to research or stockpile to sell in lots online . Found some of the raw opal slices but I know there's more . Some of it is black opal and I would like to see what quality it could be . Have some gold ore also , might be enough to make a ring with but I have to find out how to extract it . I'm sure there's a video or two on that . Really enjoy seeing your work on those amazing opals . I'm sure my mom would like to see your videos also .

[@marionsicard6479]

My first ring other than my baby ring was an opal, for my 10th birthday. I love rocks, always have. My Great Grandpa was a Midwest farmer...and rocks (of a larger size) when unearthed with farm equipment can do some damage quickly to expensive machinery. Yet, his love for rocks did not waiver. He would show me his finds, and my rock love was ignited. The opal being one of my favorites to this day. The color and uniqueness is unmatched. Every stone has its own character and beauty! Thank you for sharing. My anxiety as you cut these...you must have nerves of steel!! I had no idea how they were cut until now and oh my, so nerve racking!! I’m glad there are people like you in the world that can bravely bring out the beauty for the rest of us😍

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you Marion

[@mikearmstrong7830]

It looks to me that a Dremel tool would allow for more precise removal than the wheel. But then I don't think I would have the stones to approach that stone.

[@smoothcriminal9729]

Great to see a pro at work and a great teacher. Thank mate from Liverpool England!!!

[@rajgill7576]

Opal drinking gamw, drink every time he says color bar

[@TheActionBastard]

...but I don't want to die from alcohol poisoning?

[@chriskappler3482]

Callabah?

[@heavenbounddaughter1125]

It's like the Ruby slippers and the Emerald City of Oz.

[@brianlewis9405]

I can't believe he had all parts of his fingers after seeing that damn saw.....wow

[@steven2212]

Just found you...I'm hooked, love it. My favorite stone.

[@MikeyMikeHq]

I've discovered you a couple days ago, I'm completely mesmerized.

[@blackopaldirect]

Thanks Mike :-)

[@MikeyMikeHq]

@@blackopaldirect i subscribe to a lot of KZbin channels, maybe more than 200, you are/have my most undivided attention. You describe the work , risk , monetary value, beauty, but more than anything you have a wonderful family and life , and you are having fun . I believe Fun is the best

[@SewTexas]

Justin, I am sorta binge watching your older videos because I just recently found your channel, and I love them all.

[@blackopaldirect]

🙏🙏❤️ please subscribe

[@SewTexas]

@@blackopaldirect I sid subscribe

[@nathanaelmoxon4996]

I could barely watch, that's heart attack work all the way through. Well done, I didn't think you'd manage that one

[@blackopaldirect]

Nathanael Moxon thank you

[@hopefilledsinner3911]

I could not quite comprehend what you were attempting until I watched the whole thing. That must be a seriously thin blade.

[@WakeupYourMakeup]

I found you by accident and now I’m addicted 🤩 thank you Justin ⭐️ you are making me fall in love with Opals ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🖤💖

[@valiantsfelinesmccarty6678]

Those who comment about his not using safety tools or using such a large saw you have to think about how many years he has been doing this. Since unlike most newer Rock workers that I deal with in my business he does not use breathing safety materials rubber gloves Etc I figure he's been doing this since he was pretty young and it's the feel of it. HE HAS THE TOUCH. Without that touch he wouldn't be able to be as good as he is. This is the sign of experience skill and something innate inside the person. They don't just have trained skill, practice Etc but they have something inside them. It gives them the ability to feel the gem, the stone they are working and find the beauty that's hidden beneath the Dross. I've seen it in people who still do lost wax carving and blow you away with gold work that just amazes and other gem workers who can take a piece of nothing and turn it into something you want to set in a most valued peice of metal work. There are countries that can Force laborers to make piles of what I call Commercial stones but there are very rarely the people like this guy who can cut the stone no one people can see!

[@janetsigler1905]

That was incredible Justin! Cannot wait to see the polished green gem!!

[@paulladen6514]

Best Vogel on the net you voice is soothing and even though the risks is great it gives us rookies courage to take a chance. Thank you .......Paul

[@elar-fy4jt]

This is quite an mesmerizing cutting on this stone. I’ve been binge watching all your videos and I’m surprised I didn’t see this one! I’ve never seen anything like this before. Ive learned so much from all your videos and after I get back to work I might buy a wheel and some supplies and buy some rough opal to start the hobby as well! Thanks so, much keep up the great work and PS your video quality has gone up tremendously compared to this 3 year old video haha

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@violetelin1901]

I think I only took three breaths through the entire video. Fascinating!

[@blackopaldirect]

Violet Elin please don’t suffocate

[@MrGordonjames]

Well done Justin,trust your hands & instincts..beautiful crystal green black & great cabochon color.wow,i was really hoping you were not going to have a shot after 3/4way through of opposite end cut...you had to keep the cut going,,great wheel & i noticed myself doing fine cuts,sometimes the least amount of water.you had it just right...

[@tinahale1471]

Looks nice. I hope to give this a try one day. thank you

[@bulletjunk]

I don't know if you're interested in youtube views or subscribers. But Adding buying prices, selling prices etc. Will make it a lot more clickable for people that aren't even into gems/minerals etc.

[@blackopaldirect]

Marc E yes you have a very good point. Thank you

[@insolentstickleback3266]

Damn impressive Dustin! Your digits, that close to, that whirling wheel of dismemberment, made my sphincky clench harder than a soulless diamond. 😆

[@danielcollins9850]

Beautiful work my friend. Beautiful stones.

[@StephBer1]

Your skill is amazing. Ive always loved opals but never realised the skill needed to cut one as the stone is so thin. Bravo.

[@blackopaldirect]

Yes some pieces take some time to work out before attacking it on a machine. Thanks for the kind words

[@GoharRehmani]

I Don't Understand why you still not get more then 100K subs man. your Vids are so professional Keep it up Love from Pakistan

[@blackopaldirect]

Opals are not quite that well known as yet. Thanks for the kind words

[@GoharRehmani]

@@blackopaldirect Very true. that could be a reason. but through your videos I'm sure, knowledge of opals will break far far boundaries very soon.

[@larryhoskins5524]

Love your work Justin,you have the hands of a micro surgeon and the eyes of a hawk.Thanks for the video.

[@blackopaldirect]

Thanks Larry

[@loreanna67]

super lucky you di dnt slice a finger off lol

[@blackopaldirect]

Loreanna York haha in 25 years I still haven’t. Touch wood

[@politicartisan1339]

Wet saw blades like that are not likely to cut you, they can be touched quickly on the abrasive with no damage really, and the sides of the blade you can safely push with your finger (sometimes needed if the blade tries to swim or drift when cutting a small sliver off a piece of stone or tile).

[@carlblyth8479]

i was going to say that...

[@corbonzo1]

these types of blades are surprisingly safe actually. you can touch it for a short time with no damage.

[@RussellChapman99]

@@blackopaldirect Is it possible to make some sort of precision stone holder? I was cringing, you are one sneeze away from losing fingers, then you can change the name of your channel to Blood Emerald ;)

[@wilsonrawlin8547]

Beautiful! Even if you sacrificed some of the blue green. That top was amazing and well worth saving. Opal is such a mysterious and beautiful stone. The best in the world IMO. Nothing else compares in color.

[@petert3355]

Silly question time. With the need to slice that "top" layer off, and the proximity to fingers. Would using a Dob stick on the layer to be removed be a good idea? Point being to get fingers away from the blade and to also give a bit better look at where the cut is going.

[@WasatchSasquatchUtah]

Can't believe you don't use a wooden vice grip on a platform to hold the stone and you're using bare hands. For most people that's too risky.

[@blackopaldirect]

Years of practice I guess

[@dorothyfry9990]

Question: In approximately 1986. My husband and I came to Australia and did some tours. Went to lightening ridge. Bought a small bag of “boulder opal”. They were ready for mounting. And after all these years still in a small plastic bag. I am wondering if there is any value in them ? Dorothy Fry. In Fort Worth Texas (NRH)

[@kennethlakey8338]

Amazing, way to go! The pucker factor was very high on that one lol

[@donnareedrakowiecki]

Did you ever think of lettin the red bump there as a sculpted stone. Who said the state has to perfect round or in height . As an opal lover I would be intrigued by something different in shape

[@blackopaldirect]

donnareedrakowiecki sure but the chance is selling it is lower so for me it’s not an issue but for you maybe it would not matter. Each to their own

[@lenwenzel7440]

I can feel the stress, my heart definitely moved towards my throat. Nice cut Justin!

[@yes2bertl]

Why not polish (if possible somehow) the stone as is, then make a fitting frame? Would have been an extraordinary stone, in my opinion.

[@TheUmbrex]

he literally explained that the first minute

[@bowenzhou5264]

What he did is value added .. opal is not like jade, where the sum is often "greater than the whole of its parts" .. when finished , the two stones will fetch more $$ separately

[@nigelkavanagh2048]

I Think this time Justin the gamble paid off, sometimes the opal dictates the way too go.well done sir.

[@zacharyteibel8580]

Can you make a video talking about how to start up your own opal career and what to buy?

[@opalhopeful9626]

Whew! That was a great job! Good going! Thanks for posting this. 👍

[@cptrikester2671]

Nice results.👍 With today's rock analysis equipment, could a piece of opal be 3D scanned for internal structure and know exactly where the best cut is? Could it reveal hidden internal gems? Potential for CNC cutter accuracy.

[@blackopaldirect]

Good question. Maybe it could

[@Dawghome]

Thanks for posting and taking the incredibly risky move to slice it off, I'm pretty sure I could ever do something so nerve wracking! Prouda you son!😁👍💯

[@Tide12NC]

Should consider selling them together. Offering pics of the two coming from one stone. 👍🏼

[@flyingcheff]

I was sitting at the edge of my chair.....!

[@blackopaldirect]

Gabby Flying Chef 😃awesome glad you enjoyed

[@iantomlinson6041]

Great result, well done! Glad it didn't crack during cutting.

[@fraukapitaen7]

Amazing! Very impressive - glad it worked out so well. Even from watching alone, I got super-nervous :D Thanks for sharing, stay brave and much luck in the future, too \m/

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you I am glad you liked :-)

[@vikkster5723]

Amazing touch!

[@ShannonD.999]

That little one sure had a pretty array of colours 💝

[@erikaczerniejewski495]

Weird edge of your seat action.....but I was totally holding my breath

[@jameslund2658]

Hopefully the opal gods are on your side today mate. Good luck and believe in yourself, you can do it mate.

[@johnmanni227]

opal look gives me nostalgia feeling of happiness

[@ss-mm7zo]

Sir, It may well be my own hearing, but even with the volume all the way to 100%, I was still having difficulty hearing you, but what beautiful work you do!! Stunning! I am envious. Simply beautiful.

[@holohulolo]

How much does a rough opal like that worth? Does not having colour in the middle reduces it's value?

[@alisturkericmacnanty159]

I understand what you did and why, and of course, I'm not an opal/gem cutter, but I am an artist...would it have been wrong to have created an amazing irregular shaped opal with an irregular surface that kept the red opal ON TOP OF THE GREEN opal? To me that would have been staggaring.

[@tattedbae5750]

To preserve something like the color way of red on top, to get the sand around it or be delicate, could you use a dremel? Love your videos, from Richmond VA ✨

[@nadirali4134]

Fantastic! Amazed us by cutting and curving it into two seperate pieces...

[@jeanbarraza5433]

I am so fascinated with opals. Their beauty is captivating.

[@blackopaldirect]

My eyes have gone crossed from them 😆

[@jeanbarraza5433]

Black Opal Direct 😂😂😉

[@None888.]

Hey Justin...just curious what did you do with that small piece of red after you removed it?....nice cut by the way....

[@deweybewey]

I never sanded a opal before, why don’t you use a little Dremel wouldn’t that be fine for that kinda work instead of that huge sander? Seems so bulky for that work?

[@malaya1236]

The red piece is absolute fire. It shames a diamond even though a diamond have a class of its own.

[@TheLoneComic]

Hey thanks for making such informative videos. I was wondering if you could make a video on the kinds of settings best benefiting opal stones? Or would one take the same approach as other gemstones? If you could explain a little bit, please and thanks again. The Lone Comic TM

[@TheBLGL]

Justin mustve been too busy or missed this... so hopefully he wont mind if I try to field this one... there really is no one type of setting that is best for opals as it depends on the opal... for example an opal with sand on the back would probably be best set in a bezel, but one with a clean back could be a prong setting... a crystal opal showing colors on all sides would be best displayed in an very open setting maybe... a thin opal with a low dome would probably not look nice in a claw setting... a freeform opal would definitely need a special setting-maybe wire wrapped? so you see because no 2 opals are the same its very difficult to say which is best.... however I will say with opals, in my opinion, the best setting is always one that can provide some kind of protection to the stone as opals are fragile...

[@jessegador]

I was holding my breath when you slice it.

[@ChuckHaney]

"Taking risks with FINGERS: see if the gamble pays off."

[@tissuepaper9962]

Wet stone saws are some of the safest power tools around, second only to toothbrushes and electric razors really.

[@RhysGFrelsa-Eudyptula]

It looked best together without getting separated. such a shame... separating them...

[@petert3355]

In answer to your question posed in the video @2:14. Yes we can all see your professional level procrastination. 😀 Have to say though, it was in a good cause as we learn more in the long run the more words you end up using.

[@erichenderson4324]

i have a opal very similar but with a little more red, there is no one in my area that deals with opals, i'm looking for a idea on price what would be your best guess in the ones you have in the video? much appreciated love your work !

[@trex283]

Would you bennifit from a wiresaw?

[@gloriakoch4242]

I have a couple of lights just like his, Ott Lights. You can buy them from JoAnnes, watch for huge sales.

[@RazzaldG]

A question, why don't you use little point grinders to get the sand out?? It would allow you to get the sand out without risking too much stone.

[@blackopaldirect]

Yes this is also another great way and you would save more opal for sure, no doubt. I just like symmetrical shapes :-)

[@damama630]

...and you still have all 10! Amazing.

[@blackopaldirect]

😆

[@cazrelda169]

The smaller stones’ colour is beautiful

[@ini6392]

I know this was three years ago, but I was clenched up like it was happening right now.

[@aucourant9998]

The reddish stone is lovely.

[@veganbutcherhackepeter]

Kudos on the slicing. I would definitely not have dared to use a big disk machine on that one but attacked it with a tiny diamond disk on a Dremel. Or better yet, I would have sent it to you saying "I'm too dumb for this, here ya go". 😁

[@lukaspatty6431]

how much for a raw piece like that?

[@cptrikester2671]

Follow-up to previous 3D scan /CNC comment. Could an opal be sculpted into a shape(other than classic, perhaps a cityscape) to maximize the total opal within the rock shape? Not sure if this would just look tacky though, or economical.

[@blackopaldirect]

you sure can but I prefer not to as I like symmetrical shapes. But yes this is another way

[@damama630]

I'm amazed you still have all of your fingers after watching you do this.

[@aropals672]

What thickness is your cutting blade? I'm fixing to purchase a slicing machine and was wondering what you think is the best thickness and what you use?

[@blackopaldirect]

the thinner the better

[@qataraldafnaheavyindustrie3900]

amazing videos.Love you brother for your craftsmenship and beautiful opals

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you

[@acousticpineapple7851]

5:47 the saw is making an optical illusion, im a little stoned right now and i cant tell which way it goes

[@halneufmille]

That's a whole carreer's worth of experience right there.

[@nathantatro1936]

Are the chips and dust worth anything ? Very cool.

[@blackopaldirect]

no sorry

[@grimfandango76]

Justin What size/thickness is the saw you used to slice the red colour bar off with?

[@blackopaldirect]

0.8 mm

[@Gruuvin1]

I love the way you say "eye-pull"

[@blackopaldirect]

Hahaha

[@brettharper4778]

What brand/type/thickness blades do you like to use for this kind of work? (Love that saw setup!)

[@blackopaldirect]

It’s a proper lapidary saw. The thinner the blade the better

[@lyonspainter]

Watched this a couple of times now Justin, you have such a sensitive touch.

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you

[@ss-mm7zo]

would something like a dentist drill with a sander bit give a person more detailed control than a larger wheel type machine? Ive never done this, so was just wondering.

[@blackopaldirect]

s s a hard wheel is better

[@murf1201]

A dremel tool is what your thinking.

[@morbikdon5245]

it is so nice that you have all of your fingers

[@RedmanOutdoors366]

That was a perfect cut bud very nice

[@blackopaldirect]

REDMAN PROSPECTING thanks mate

[@uberbuyer8599]

Your grinding wheel was bouncing around like a jackrabbit. Lucky the whole stone did't shatter!

[@Abby_the_cat]

Do you ever get so fascinated that you want to leave it the way it is and i would love to at least have a piece of raw opal

[@blackopaldirect]

Yes sometimes

[@JC-rf7rb]

Great job again! Congratulations!