Hello from the Pacific Northwest!
Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2021 10:10 pm
I am a long time lover of opals, rocks and all that shines but have only recently started working stones and minerals in to jewelry.
Last summer I got access to an Oregon Fire Opal (non-precious cousin to the fancy stuff) claim and came away with tons of beautiful rough. Colors range from clear to yellow, from firey orange to blood red, some chocolate and some black (we think the black is called chert?).
Since, I have acquired a Crown lapidary machine, as my home baked machine wasn't quite good enough, and began cutting and cabbing away. I began working in brass so I could learn a bit with something cheap, and now work in reclaimed silver.
I can guarantee I will have tons of silly questions and bizarre ideas so...be gentle!
-Matthew
Oregon, USA
Last summer I got access to an Oregon Fire Opal (non-precious cousin to the fancy stuff) claim and came away with tons of beautiful rough. Colors range from clear to yellow, from firey orange to blood red, some chocolate and some black (we think the black is called chert?).
Since, I have acquired a Crown lapidary machine, as my home baked machine wasn't quite good enough, and began cutting and cabbing away. I began working in brass so I could learn a bit with something cheap, and now work in reclaimed silver.
I can guarantee I will have tons of silly questions and bizarre ideas so...be gentle!
-Matthew
Oregon, USA