Watch a humble rough opal turn into a ripper gem

Some days an opal humbles you, and others it takes you by surprise. Watch a ripper gem unfold in today's opal cutting video.
Full writeup on the blog: blackopaldirec...
Here's the stunning opal: blackopaldirec...
Thanks for watching :)
Make sure to follow us on socials:
/ blackopaldirect
/ blackopaldirect

[@YTladytalkingagain]

i’m a jewelry consultant and I just want to say your channel made my favorite gemstone opal. I see diamonds all the time… They just don’t compare to these stones. You are such a talented artist, thank you for sharing. Also love your editing!

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you Kindly

[@jimbuxton2187]

@@blackopaldirect .. it's just so sad they're so soft....

[@sandraaanderud2544]

I didn't expect it to be so blue, seeing all that yellow from the side.

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

You should watch Pullizer opals latest video it's about seam pieces that show amazing colors from the sides but...

[@dianewest6479]

8)

[@kennethnew3075]

Oh laughing so hard. Great beginingThe girls are rolling on the ground. Sounds like you were channelling Depeche Mode People are People. Hang in there and be safe. Keep the faith. 🖖 🌮

[@korgothkillings2032]

Your right

[@josegomezbighands]

How would it feel like hold in your hands a peace of history something that was in the earth for thousands of years. Priceless and beautiful

[@paulettecrockett4643]

I have never seen a black opal in my life until I accidentally stumbled upon one of your videos. The only opals I have ever seen have been highly polished white rocks with a few specks of color. Looking at the results of your work, my jaw literally dropped to the desk. I never imagined opals being this mesmerizing and dazzling. These stones overshadow any diamond I have ever seen in my life regardless of the size. What amazing gems they are.

[@breakawaybooks4752]

Thumbed up solely based on the thickness of that color bar. There's nothing wrong with shorter videos btw!

[@kai-ludwigvogt7255]

What a beauty ! I'm still amazed at every opal cutting video you share with us, each of them always revealing a wonderful world of colours ! Such a pleasure to watch !

[@johnnykerley4791]

Hello Justin. I cut gemstones by hand. I work primarily with Oregon Sunstone. I take the raw, unclean stone and gring them by hand using three grits of whetstone. I facet out the natural facets within the stone, then I polish the stone from 500 grit sandpaper all the water through to 5000 grit. The stones are then ready to be further faceted into whatever type of gem shape the faceting master chooses. I've been doing this for years. I enjoy your videos, and I have learned much from you in the way of both the failures and the successes you display when cutting Opal. My goal is to learn to facet with machines, and continue to grow in both the art and the science of gem cutting. I will continue to watch and learn from you. Most respectfully, John.

[@johngallagher9151]

The intro is gold lol. Scratch that, the intro is a 20 carat perfect Harlequin pattern opal

[@johngallagher9151]

@Peter .Hobern what reference

[@johngallagher9151]

@Peter .Hobern karma dharma 😉

[@iseeyou736]

So sorry to hear your in lockdown again. Hopefully, the bright side is we get more videos than normal🤗😀

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

Same expectations, no pressure guys 🤣

[@bbkind9399]

People are a lot like opals the right cuts and some polish with love turns to something beautiful. Happy day to opal born babies

[@phoenicianstones6977]

One thing you have taught me about opal, you never know what’s going to happen! That’s why it’s opal!

[@gpa6449]

Thanks for the laugh, an sharing your skill an love for cutting the gemstones with so much fire. It's a passion for sure

[@gailpearson9447]

Loved the beat in the beginning.

[@outdoorsy01]

I need opal in my life. One day I might have enough pennies in the swear jar

[@davidhuber9418]

hell yes

[@davidhuber9418]

you can have one faster if you make it a nickel jar, my first reply cost me a quarter

[@amandavokins5958]

When you live in Dorset everywhere else is “very nice, really.”but obv.can’t measure up.😉

[@gardengatesopen]

F'n A ! (I think that one is worth 2 in the jar, even tho the 2nd "word" is only a letter!)

[@quittrynabemeyouredoingaba6852]

If I had a swear jar, I'd be broke and my jar would be rich 😅😅 i'll be asking for a loan off the jar, to put it back in 🤣🤣😭😭😭

[@kathyr2792]

When you held up that rough little nobby and I saw that lovely lavender color I fell in love right then right there!

[@notmyfault6835]

Greetings from sweltering, dry, fire ravaged California... HEY!! I'll trade you our not being in lockdown for some of your rain... !? Stunning little knobby 😍🙏❤

[@insolentstickleback3266]

I second that sentiment from shriveled, desiccated, Smokey Oregon. Looks like a new fire just east of me, hopping to the wild fire map right now 😳

[@valeriestevens5250]

@@insolentstickleback3266 Been there, not fun. Stay safe and be ready to MOVE.

[@jcarry5214]

I send you my good wishes as I breathe your smoke yet again here in the mummified wasteland of Utah. I try to look on the bright side: When you're on fire I have some shade.

[@insolentstickleback3266]

@@jcarry5214 LOL 😆🖕🏻

[@jcarry5214]

@@insolentstickleback3266 I know, sorry.

[@scottishwifie14]

Hope your surviving the lockdown thinking of you all opal is great therapy

[@montyhoutchens9217]

The lockdown is nothing but propaganda and if your someone who's thinking about getting vaccinated , I would recommend you don't do it !! Since when has the government or the news media been honest about anything and when they both are pushing for something I can almost guarantee it's not in your best interest.

[@elchefreedom5063]

Ripper gem, that is such a badass word to explain what this is all about 🤙🏽

[@randym8963]

i agree, had me tapping right along

[@HumanzeeTamer]

Opal is just beautiful, Justen has shown me why this stone is my favorite of all gem stones, to have those colors floating inside a stone of its self, seems like it wants to tell a story that it is a gift too the world.

[@choppergt750]

That was an excellent display of your talent - not only in cutting, but recognizing potential in what originally appeared to be a marginal stone.

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you Ed

[@greenerell484]

yes opal cutting takes real skill more so then faceting a gem like ruby or diamond you can pretty much tell how they will turn out but with opal you never really know for sure

[@Mk-qt2bl]

Your videos really help me forget all the chaos we live in even for just a few minutes 🙏

[@MacNCheese68]

I know what you mean. It helps me assure my fears about today when I think back and wonder about how life would have been in previous pandemics. We have FaceTime, the internet, and so many modern amenities that it really isn’t that bad. Cheers!

[@adventuringwithmiles9315]

I bought some rubs from him, beautiful stuff, still working on polishing and finishing them up. Quality company and ridiculously entertaining vids!

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you Miles

[@kam70111]

Justin, you are very good at changing the Refractive Index of the stone to hide flaws. Hats off to you. Beautiful.

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you 🙏

[@wilsonrawlin8547]

Shocker how deep the color was right on top of the black potch. Definitely a great piece!

[@steviebiggee9441]

Ya just keep getting better at your presentation, love it all. Surprising how many are now trying to swim across the Murray.

[@coryboatz4434]

That's a great little piece! Turned out much better than it looked like it would at first. Thanks for sharing these quality videos Justin, Melinda and others who help with the whole process.

[@Mk-qt2bl]

You take me away from the stresses of life and fill my world with color! ❣️

[@stephaniebray3983]

I’m going in makes me hold my breath. I’m never surprised when you uncover a beautiful gem.

[@rosemcgee8368]

Stunning blue opal, thanks for sharing 👏👏

[@geoffb.6154]

Love what came out of that cloud..........so much better than I thought it would be !

[@cathyerley3057]

Nope, sure didn't expect it to turn out so vibrant! Man, what a glorious way to spend your time locked down again. Sorry to hear, hope y'all get back out soon. Stay safe, and bring on more opals!

[@prophez23]

I truly love your channel! And the amazing opals you cut are out of this world! Thank you!

[@theZCAllen]

I thought it would be a fabulous piece! I have faith in your eye and skills - that black potch was a game changer!

[@maryhiatt808]

I absolutely love your show!! Look so forward to your new videos. It's so cool to see you reveal the gem inside...thank you

[@redeyestones3738]

I had no doubt it was going to work out into a great stone. I love those colors in opal. Not the most valuable, but the kind of colors I like. Super rad, thanks again for always putting up quality content. You're awesome!

[@angelbloodshinra]

I was expecting it to turn out nice, but I was expecting something more akin to a shimmery crystal opal instead of a vivid black opal bc the black potch on the bottom was so small!

[@eathanbenns3851]

Justin knows his Opals! Black Opals are my weakness. Just such an explosion of colors, clarity, exhilarating and superb!

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you

[@chiselready9320]

I’m so glad that you get to do something every day that you love! And you’re great at it! Lol! 🙌🏼

[@blackopaldirect]

🙏

[@michaellindsey1543]

Didn't think that knobby had a prayer. But then that's why you're the Opal Master and I'm just the bloke up the road. . .

[@blackopaldirect]

Hahaha

[@michaelpw97]

Thanks for the viddy justin (and wonderful ladies behind the scenes)! great content as always :)

[@ant-1382]

Aside from the stones, what amazes me is that you still have your finger nails. When I first started lapidary, I soon found mine were ground right off.

[@leonidchichibabi2383]

i nearly cried you said it so beautifully about loving things you do

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you 🙏

[@jx1659]

Love the quarantine intro, well done! Sorry you are having to go through that. Canada is coming out of quarantine now - we'd been inside since March 2020 ~. I thought the little knobbie was lovely even before the wheel. Your quirky but calm energy came through clearly in this video!

[@scottloar]

Yes, after watching many of your videos and listening to your explanations I can now follow your line of thought.

[@blackopaldirect]

I'm so glad!

[@MrLuisperwira]

My heart pounded hard as he grinded those little opal.slightest wrong move would shatter the stone. . His patience and experience payed off as he make the best of it.

[@dawndixon402]

Excellent video. I would not have expected. That opal, to turn out any where near that beautiful.

[@longlegs7881]

I fell in love with that little beauty before you started! I knew it was gonna be a beauty! Beautiful work!

[@greenhead1804]

Thank you for sharing your craft I have watched all your KZbin Shows a few times and some over and over. You have inspired me to try and learn how to polish opals I ordered a bag of small stones and a beginner machine. Thanks again.

[@karennewman4429]

I love these opals, love your channel and sense of humor!! Thank you!! 🥰🥰

[@Darryl_Frost]

Beautiful gem, and love the nice words, .... and comment

[@fit_pharmd4830]

100% did not think it would have that depth of color! What a great turnout from such an under dog!

[@blackopaldirect]

Yeah they can surprise you

[@charlesmcdermott6139]

Yup, I thought it was a goner when I saw that sand, but then, with the ability God has given you , it turned out wonderfully!

[@insolentstickleback3266]

Crouching Knobby, hidden Ripper. 😎 Juicy & delicious little video, I would love to have some of that precious rain here in Oregon about now!

[@fikria.8125]

Hi Justin. Yeah you right, I didn't expect that the stone would become that beautiful.

[@ralphferrara5152]

Really nice color blue. You went in and came out a winner. Nice job. Keep them coming Justin.😊

[@sinjinmonsoon9055]

I just love your channel. It just drives me crazy. You have such a good eye to read the stones and you are an incredible stone cutter. You make magic. That's what opals are to me.

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you so much 😊

[@mikenilson6744]

I wake up every day, grateful to have found black opal direct! Thanks for all you and your crew do, you’re providing a great service and education that can’t be found anywhere else, and it’s available to anybody and everybody on the entire planet, for free, that’s crazy!

[@blackopaldirect]

Welcome Mike. 🙏❤️

[@brandonrobinson2251]

I love and watch all of your content but I must say I enjoy this type of video much more then the live streams. The peaceful relaxing background music and your calm voiceovers. Takes me back to what brought me here and kept me here

[@blackopaldirect]

Glad you enjoyed

[@maxlifeloveandlearning7097]

Totally completely refreshingly surprised. I did not expect it to turn out that nice at all. Well done

[@tonywild1963]

Great opening to your video, can't believe your in another lockdown again. That opal turned out really well, and had flashes of purple. Well done Justin

[@louyeo6571]

I don’t wear opals, somehow they just don’t suit me, but I can’t say how much I love watching you conjure their beauty.

[@lovecara1]

I was very hopeful that it would turn into something amazing, but this stone turned out beyond amazing, so beautiful

[@doomchild333]

Great show. Love learning about things found in our back yard. Intro was somewhere out there but loved it nonetheless.

[@sandmaker]

That was quite a suprise to me. That is why we are the students and you the master. Loved the intro. Dream happy, be safe and stay healthy. 😷⚒

[@GalXsea-Class]

I knew you would find the beauty in the stone from the start. Thank you for sharing.

[@andrewgroleau5805]

Love it. I saw the potential right away. The black looked centered on the end and the color looked good enough to allow a lovely high dome. Those are some of my favorite opals. Love the size, color, and the dome is amazing. Absolutely beautiful.

[@lpeterson2336]

Just lovely! Makes me want to start a whole new life path.

[@johnlittle8975]

Never seen a stone like that before. The entire color disapears at certain angles! Really cool to see.

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you John

[@amybradley2514]

Loved the intro, and that's a sweet stone! And yes, I certainly wasn't sure what was going to happen with that little nobby.

[@blackopaldirect]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@fredferd965]

That introduction was fantastic! But, if you're going to go tribal, you need somebody on a didgeridoo to come in on the second verse....

[@blackopaldirect]

lol I can play the Didge

[@fredferd965]

@@blackopaldirect Great! The Didge is becoming popular here in the states. People here in Oregon combine it with western instruments. It's the perfect instrument for Black Opal!!!

[@fredferd965]

@@blackopaldirect Oh, by the way, I'm not very good at the Didge. I tried it once and made an awful sound. My wife came in the room and asked who was molesting a wart hog.....

[@Skittenmeow]

Wow I wish I'd found this during lockdown!... May have saved me developing a strong sourdough phobia!

[@kathleenquinlan4316]

I have the ultimate confidence in your ability to cut and show a stone to it’s best advantage, so yes, I did think it would be nice!

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you

[@FiOMahoney]

Short but sweet Justin and a beautiful little gem.

[@charlesmcdermott6139]

Australia is on my bucket list. There are two things that I must see, the Sydney Opera and YOU! Opal us my birthstone and I want one set into a ring. Someday…

[@youareamazing8004]

That blue is out of this world! I love it!

[@DeborahOlander]

Watching you work always makes me feel better. I’m a color person too. Watching you bring out the best in that little stone was just lovely!

[@thomasbunner734]

There’s something about the black opal that’s so very special and unique. It radiates and sparkles ✨ a mesmerizing beauty that pulls you inside of it. A crystalline worm hole that takes you to another dimension where petty worries are unable to follow. Your dreams must be so wonderful. Love your style.👍

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you for the kind words and tuning in!

[@ianclark1815]

Great confidence when it comes to the cutting. The shaping is very clever too.

[@irenemariebelanger3758]

Such a cool and catchy opening, it made me feel real happy! You guys are a fun bunch!

[@michaelduggan2691]

Enjoyed that,short and sweet, Thanks

[@chadatchison145]

I just got done cutting and polishing some agates and obsidian for a friend of mine and then noticed you uploaded a video so I clicked on it right away. I may not be able to afford any opal at the moment but I have opal dreams and your videos keep me motivated, thanks Justin. :)

[@blackopaldirect]

Welcome 🙏

[@MPS1969]

That was... AMAZING! Cannot keep smile off my face. Thanks needed that today.

[@blackopaldirect]

Welcome Mark

[@davidgraham7223]

I truely didn’t think this little stone was going to give you such a beauty! I wanna no by!

[@blackopaldirect]

you can here blackopaldirect.com/product/black-opals/1-36-ct-black-opal-7-6x6-6x4-3mm/

[@laurabaker8832]

Holy Cow! That is exquisite. When you found that big blob of sand, I was afraid that there wouldn't be anything left. NICE

[@billiehydrick6417]

Justin ya make my day so fun. We luv your post thanks for sharing my friend 😀❤💕💖, howdy from Grovetown, Georgia 👍USA

[@gardengatesopen]

Or is it - Groovetown Georgia !

[@blackopaldirect]

Glad you enjoyed

[@billiehydrick6417]

@@gardengatesopen we do. Call it that at times lmbo howdy thanks for the compliment 😀😊😄☺

[@RM-vw3ov]

Feeling for you being back in lockdown. Best wishes.

[@vincentfortin1923]

No way this nobby turn into this super strong awesome rare black opal like this 😮 Im so surprised and happy for you Justin ! What a wonderfull colors piece😍 this is unreal lol 🤯🥳

[@johncollier608]

Short but really, really sweet. A quite dazzling little gem. Thanks for sharing, Justin.

[@allysonhean4204]

Wow! No wonder you're into your opal! Gorgeous work! 💓

[@jeffporschsr2075]

Most all opals you cut turn out a beautiful gem! Love your channel!!

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you so much!

[@gpa6449]

I didn't expect that to pull through so nice, an how you feel about bringing out all the color in each stone, loved chasing the fire in the opals, fire agate an trying to pull a star out of corundum, as a young person. an as that I was young there were alot of maybe stones, If I use the best of my skillset could I pull off a free-form that made me smile. Just picked up the wheels for the first time in maybe 18 yrs. I'm older with some body damage so I think the hardest part will be to make myself stop often when cutting, I'm hoping it works out. Just loved it once enjoy watching your channel. Thanks for sharing. pjm

[@robertprice6802]

I've wasted so many rough pieces because I didn't know what to do until now 😮 Thank you for the lesson 🙏

[@timothyhowen2038]

Didn't know but it turned out great.Proud of you Justin.

[@RufotrisRootedRockhound]

Subscribed and loving it. I just got into lapidary this last year and was just given a lot of very nice opal, some Ethiopian opal and black opal and Idaho opal. I was also given a baggie with some opal doublets and opal triplets so it’s very informative to watch your channel before wanting to touch these. I have lots of colorless opal I dug up in Idaho I’m practicing with now.

[@mauisammi]

I did not think it would turn out so well. I want it!!

[@patriciatrantham4230]

Oh I love this man. I love his accent but mostly I love the work that he does. Opals are my birthstone and hopefully one day I'll be able to afford a black opal for myself. They are the prettiest stones out there

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you Patricia you are very kind

[@mphmph1198]

I've been going to, and enjoying, the annual Denver Gem, Fossil and Mineral Show for more years than I care to admit, but the last several have been far more rewarding since I discovered this channel. The Ethiopian opals paled in comparison to Australian opals, and the high-priced Lightning Ridge left-over trash (all potch and sand) were just sad when up against the riskiest knobbies featured here.

[@tashaanderson8238]

What a beautiful gem! I honestly didn't think it would have come out looking so beautiful.

[@blackopaldirect]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@manicmasterofmetal2620]

You know who else used an anvil as a musical instrument? Only Ringo Starr! Maxwells silver hammer is a great beatles song that not many people know of. It is pretty dark compared to the rest of The Beatles songs. I used to do lapidary work 35 years ago as a hobby. I was a member of our local club and I used to buy boulder opal very very cheaply from a tourist shop In the city centre. It always amazed me when I started cutting, all the beautiful colours and patterns that would emerge from the ironstone. I would get back into it today if I had the time and the room to do it. Maybe one day when I retire.... if there is still good uncut opal to buy in the future. Thanks for the great videos. Good luck on the next buying mission.