Cutting Opal Gems
Moderators: PinkDiamond, John
- OpalSpectrum
- Posts: 453
- Joined: Mon Jun 08, 2015 12:53 pm
Cutting Opal Gems
Hi all , here are some of my quick opal cutting videos > ViP's and finished stones
my cutting method/technique is always the same > starting with 220 grit > 280, 600, 1200, 3000 and final polish 14000 > felt with cerium oxide
*that is why I just make short videos showing the progress
hope you enjoy
finished stone
my cutting method/technique is always the same > starting with 220 grit > 280, 600, 1200, 3000 and final polish 14000 > felt with cerium oxide
*that is why I just make short videos showing the progress
hope you enjoy
finished stone
*** ****** *********
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- PinkDiamond
- Posts: 15704
- Joined: Thu Jun 04, 2015 9:30 pm
- Location: Ozark Mountains
Re: Cutting Opal Gems
Fantastic, OS, what a gorgeous opal! With all that red in it, that should be a more valuable opal if what I was told is correct, that red is the rarest color in Aussie opal, so thanks for treating us to this beauty. It's great to see you drop by; especially when you're bringing us such fabulous opal eye candy, so thanks!
PinkDiamond
ISG Registered Gemologist
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ISG Registered Gemologist
· ´¨¨)) -:¦:-¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ There are miracles left for you to do .... -:¦:- -:¦:-
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* It all begins inside of you.
- OpalSpectrum
- Posts: 453
- Joined: Mon Jun 08, 2015 12:53 pm
Re: Cutting Opal Gems
yes the fire is awesome although a bit directional because the flat top -- still beautiful ring stone worth about $1500
I offer it for $750
I offer it for $750
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- OpalSpectrum
- Posts: 453
- Joined: Mon Jun 08, 2015 12:53 pm
Re: Cutting Opal Gems
gemmy crystal from LR
-- video is short and starts from the semi-shaped rub
*didn't filmed it from the beginning because this rough was quite difficult to cut and I wasn't sure how it will came up
> there was a lot of clay and the layer of fire was at odd angle -- and the challenge was to orientate the better green fire on top
I'm quite happy with the end result
high dome semi-round crystal with super hot fire
> beautiful ring stone
finished
-- video is short and starts from the semi-shaped rub
*didn't filmed it from the beginning because this rough was quite difficult to cut and I wasn't sure how it will came up
> there was a lot of clay and the layer of fire was at odd angle -- and the challenge was to orientate the better green fire on top
I'm quite happy with the end result
high dome semi-round crystal with super hot fire
> beautiful ring stone
finished
*** ****** *********
>>> Firmitas Utilitas Venustas <<<
>>> Firmitas Utilitas Venustas <<<
- PinkDiamond
- Posts: 15704
- Joined: Thu Jun 04, 2015 9:30 pm
- Location: Ozark Mountains
Re: Cutting Opal Gems
Nice work OS! You're cutting some gorgeous stones and I hope they sell well for you. I would buy one myself if I had cash to spend, but like most it's getting harder to save with inflation stealing more money from us. Thanks for sharing them with us. I'm really enjoying your thread since apparently no one else is cutting these days.
PinkDiamond
ISG Registered Gemologist
· ´¨¨)) -:¦:-¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ There are miracles left for you to do .... -:¦:- -:¦:-
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* It all begins inside of you.
ISG Registered Gemologist
· ´¨¨)) -:¦:-¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ There are miracles left for you to do .... -:¦:- -:¦:-
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* It all begins inside of you.
- SwordfishMining
- Posts: 4286
- Joined: Fri Jun 05, 2015 3:06 pm
- Location: Denio, NV USA
- Contact:
Re: Cutting Opal Gems
Looking good. I cant believe I havent polished a stone since before the CCPV. I keep telling myself, this too shall pass. The seasons well under way here now. I did wake up to wet ground and grey skies. Too many draws on your time when to try to achieve too much. I see why retirees stop the world and get off to garden or church go when their jobs end. When you work for yourself, you need to be involved with a labor or love. I'm really just kind of stalled waiting for the signal in which way to fall off the fence and start running LOL> the cave awaits. No power up there tho.....
I'll jump over my shadow. https://www.virginvalleyopal.com"
Opals & more at my ESTY store https://swordfishmining.etsy.com"
Opals & more at my ESTY store https://swordfishmining.etsy.com"
- OpalSpectrum
- Posts: 453
- Joined: Mon Jun 08, 2015 12:53 pm
Re: Cutting Opal Gems
SwordfishMining wrote:Looking good. I cant believe I havent polished a stone since before the CCPV. I keep telling myself, this too shall pass. ...
thanks I had couple breaks from cutting but due to lack of time or stock
I like to create or discover new things and love art but I lost interest in making it ... but cutting opals combine and merge all this things into one and for me it's the best form of craft > so I neeeed to cut something
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- SwordfishMining
- Posts: 4286
- Joined: Fri Jun 05, 2015 3:06 pm
- Location: Denio, NV USA
- Contact:
Re: Cutting Opal Gems
I need somebody cutting for me, setting and selling would help too. I seem to be a magnet for get to it later ideas, after Ive gotten started.
I'll jump over my shadow. https://www.virginvalleyopal.com"
Opals & more at my ESTY store https://swordfishmining.etsy.com"
Opals & more at my ESTY store https://swordfishmining.etsy.com"
- OpalSpectrum
- Posts: 453
- Joined: Mon Jun 08, 2015 12:53 pm
Re: Cutting Opal Gems
good plan
one more short vid > from last week cutting
nice green-blue
one more short vid > from last week cutting
nice green-blue
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>>> Firmitas Utilitas Venustas <<<
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- PinkDiamond
- Posts: 15704
- Joined: Thu Jun 04, 2015 9:30 pm
- Location: Ozark Mountains
Re: Cutting Opal Gems
That's another gorgeous opal OS, you have a good eye for buying rough. I noticed your other post with the two videos was deleted, so I have to ask if that was on purpose or did something happen to it? It can be restored, so I hope it was just a fluke and you'll bring it back so others can see those opals too. If you'd like me to do it for you just LMK.
PinkDiamond
ISG Registered Gemologist
· ´¨¨)) -:¦:-¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ There are miracles left for you to do .... -:¦:- -:¦:-
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* It all begins inside of you.
ISG Registered Gemologist
· ´¨¨)) -:¦:-¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ There are miracles left for you to do .... -:¦:- -:¦:-
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* It all begins inside of you.