I hope you feel proud about making a fake black opal. You know these are worth a small fraction compared to a natural black opal.

@theopalmills

5 ай бұрын

Damn straight I’m proud, they’re doublets, not solid black opal, not fake, of course they’re only worth a fraction, but why do you feel the need to be condescending?

@anthonymcclain6475

5 ай бұрын

Haters are gonna hate Phil we all know that 😅 but I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for being what I call the "every man's opal cutter" I mean Roy's rocks is the carver and Justin is the black opal king and the good Dr pulitzer at pulitzer opal is very polished and entertaining and very generous and the only other cutter that rivals you imo as far as content that the average cutter feels like it obtainable! Which is what really matters. I can never cut an opal as nice as the ones Justin cuts and probably the same goes for anything Dr pulitzer cuts as well but when I watch your videos I feel like maybe I could do that.😂plus you are a much better teacher than you give yourself credit for. I've learned a lot from you in my few years of following. I guess I just wanted to say thanks and that not everyone is a hater!

@markjones7124

Ай бұрын

He states very clearly what the opal is. I can only afford the small fraction. I think they are beautiful. The eye is in the beholder.

I have given away multiple stones with sand or inclusions and not one person has complained. I accept them as character and add authenticity. Great job Phil

They all look absolutely amazing Phil I would definitely agree doublets 100% worth making, awesome 😮

Beautiful work there mate,, if it weren't for doubles, all that beauty would lost

Ive never made a doublet but now i want...no...need to!

Amazing job and finish on all the doublets mate. I need to dabble in making them for sure broaden my capabilities 👊👍🌈🤑

The color in that parcel at 16:56 is winner winner chicken dinner broseph

Hiya Phil, awesome video and the stones came out beautifully as always, you do excellent work. I hope you have a awesome blessed day mate. Cheers! Cya! 😺🐟 out!

Nice ! Ever thought of glueing some black rock on your back and you may shine as well !

Hey Phil, Thank you so much, I've only recently found your channel and have already learnt so much from you. Thanks for sharing your talent and passion for opal. I've always been a rockaholic but new to this Opal shaping and polishing game. It's terrifying how soft it is and the pain is real after destroying some great stones on the journey so far😔 But hence the appreciation of your work 😀

@theopalmills

5 ай бұрын

G’day Sarah, I have lots of stones I should go back over and recut, due to little errors here and there, but they’re in my collection now 🤣. It’s definitely a hard lesson when it all goes wrong, the most common reason is time, go slowly, building muscle memory that will find its own pace. Use a finer grit (1200#) when cutting, that way you have more reaction time to correct errors. I rest/brace my hands against the machine for a more steady/controlled cut. Keep at it and one day it’ll all just click. 🤪👍

Thank you for sharing the completed doubles. They turned out gorgeous. I even like the "it's still a nice stone" I always look forward to seeing at work and the completed pieces.

Great Video , stunning stones , looking forward to seeing how that big bit turns out

Well done Phil, awesome result from those thin stones, although it’s far from the most expensive, I actually like the stone with the thick potch bar down the middle. Thanks for sharing, looking forward to that big carving specimen piece…..

@paulkeating944

5 ай бұрын

Yes Jeff that stone I luv.. I do have a thing about pic stones though,call it a fetish :D

The one you say is stunning at 3:02 makes me think of Van Gogh for some reason.

111111111 Awesome doublets. The huge rough opal shape reminded me of a Jesus candle.

Happy new year. Love all your work. I like the big one at the 5:4o mark

SMASHING results Phil! but, seriously, don't smash them.

Opal Doublet-one can Maximize Potential / Profit

They all look great! I wouldn't care if the backing was potch or something glued on, it's the colour I love. About that, I have a couple of stupid questions, as usual 🙄. Is there such a thing as an andamooka matrix doublet or triplet? Have you ever seen a double sided doublet? I mean gluing another opal to the back side of the backing? If you made a pendant from something like that it could be beautiful, even earrings.

@theopalmills

5 ай бұрын

G’day mate, yes, not common, but I did make a double sided doublet and had it set in 18k gold pendant around 16yrs ago, I still have it. Also, mucking around, I took a slice of Andamooka matrix and glued triplet tops to both sides, I think I still have that too. 🤪👍

Awesome.

Thanks!

@theopalmills

Ай бұрын

Thanks Mark, much appreciated, cheers. 🤪👍

Amazing , happy new year mate

That white opal slab you said you would tidy up... that's worth a pretty penny! My estimate is around 8k on the lower end! ( let me know if i'm wrong) Also the stuff in the packages! HOLY CRAP that black and dark opal was crazy! I KNOW that was some high $$$ material even though you brushed through them lightly as if it was not a big deal! I wish i could handle some stones like that! Sadly , as one particularly enterprising opal salesman (Murray) mentioned to me they are "a bit rich for my blood" But heres' to hoping one day!

@theopalmills

5 ай бұрын

G’day mate, they are nice stones, but I get a bit concerned with gamble rough like that, in reference to how much the person paid and if I can recover that for them. I hope they hold some nice surprises. 🤪👍

@theopalmills

4 ай бұрын

Btw, that’s Joe from Misfits, Outback opal hunters.

OPAL ANGEL???!!! Can A Doublet be done to a matrix???

Man those are super nice stones. Nice work. What do you use to glue and what material is the black part??? Thanks 😊

@theopalmills

4 ай бұрын

G’day mate, I use Araldite and Batman black resin dye from www.arttreecreations.com.au/products/epoxy-pigment-paste and the backing is black potch. 🤪👍

@Algoldprospecting

Ай бұрын

@@theopalmills I just made one using black and gold obsidian with clear epoxy to get the gold to come through. It turned out amazing. 👍

Something is wrong with my tablet. No sound.

@Mass-jab-death-2025

5 ай бұрын

You shouldn’t have swallowed it ! It’s not that kind of a tablet.

@nancycurtis7315

5 ай бұрын

@@Mass-jab-death-2025 🤣. Walked into that one... LOL.