In ‘88 my family took a trip to Australia and one of our places we visited was Coober Pedy and visited an opal mine! We got to look through the scrap pile for opals they’re so pretty! They even lowered me into a mine shaft on a little swing! I was in 4th grade at the time was an awesome trip!

@roserea3156

2 жыл бұрын

My favorite stone. My mother's, mine and my first granddaughters birthstone

@Skittenmeow

11 ай бұрын

Nice! That would have been around the time of the Australian bicentennial- lots of exciting and special things happening around the country that year!

The owner must feel like a proud parent seeing those beauties form before their eyes :) lucky bugger!

@blackopaldirect

4 жыл бұрын

He is happy 😊

@mynineandi

3 жыл бұрын

Right! Quite magnificent!

@davidstrait8873

3 жыл бұрын

@@blackopaldirect think you could cut one for me?

@wm4750

3 жыл бұрын

@@davidstrait8873 0:49

@Hazed64

3 жыл бұрын

@@davidstrait8873 he says right at the start he doesn't cut opal for people and to please not ask him

Well, you still have all your fingers. I’m impressed. 🖐🏼

@unbearifiedbear1885

3 жыл бұрын

lol.. watching people freehand on open sawblades always makes my bum twitch!

@lisae3663

3 жыл бұрын

UnBearified Bear 😳😆

@kcanded

3 жыл бұрын

Exactly. If I had to do that job I'd have stubs for fingers.

@unbearifiedbear1885

3 жыл бұрын

@@kcanded Would you have lost them one by one or all at once?! 😂

@jgigna

3 жыл бұрын

All fingers and it doesn’t even appear his fingers have gotten buzzed lol! Impressive, and wow nice stone :)

I absolutely adore the artistry that is Justin's skill to cut these stones. Everyone cherish the polished stones and the heirlooms they create/represent but one must never forget behind each stone, each inherited piece there is an ARTIST like Justin bringing these stones/Gems to life! Thank you for sharing your talent and being so selfless. It is a pleasure to watch!

@blackopaldirect

4 жыл бұрын

🙏🙏welcome

@jamesparrish1831

Жыл бұрын

​@@blackopaldirect

I have never been into precious or semi precious stones, I have never been into jewelry, but you my man have gotten me into opals. Kudos to your passion and dedication. I am a fan for life now.

@blackopaldirect

3 жыл бұрын

Yay mission accomplished 🙏

@William.Shakespeare

Жыл бұрын

being a rocker is awesome , if you find yourself kicking around a pebble beach or similar you might find something fun . check out the native stones related your area , if nothing else you can put them in your garden until you decide to play with them .

My mom had a beautiful black opal ring that my dad bought for her, really the only thing I wanted to keep out of her massive jewelry collection, and her sister stole the whole collection when mom was dying. The only opal I have is a mostly colorless one my uncle gave me from Mexico when I was little. It’s special to me.

@shewho333

2 жыл бұрын

That did cross my mind! lol

@happybee7725

2 жыл бұрын

Karma will get her.

@William.Shakespeare

Жыл бұрын

check out mexican fire opals!

I don't get the attraction in diamonds and rubies and emeralds (apart from their value, of course!) but based just on their look they have nothing on opal!

@kevinmencer3782

4 жыл бұрын

I have always preferred semi-precious stones. There's such a variety of colors in citrine alone, and amber is fascinating for the scientific curiosity it provokes as well as the color.

@Aurora-kq7bo

4 жыл бұрын

Yep! Diamonds are hoax there’s a lot of them and they are very very common the price in diamonds is mostly just how they’ve been marketed for centuries some others are way more rare it’s funny how ppl think price equals rarity I never got into diamonds for that sake

@25aspooner

4 жыл бұрын

I love opal and dont understand the hype with diamonds either compared to diamonds opals are worth more and they are more visually interesting and probably harder to find

@VeritasEtAequitas

4 жыл бұрын

Diamonds have no value other than artificially inflated by debeers. Runt and sapphire are just aluminum rust. Emerald is truly rare as are many opals

@terrypussypower

4 жыл бұрын

@Mescalinum Sunshine "is it worth anything"? Black opal is worth up to $15,000 a carat. It's much rarer than diamond And if you haven't found anything attractive in opal then you're not looking at the right ones!

I'm shocked at how stressful this was to watch mate.

With your fingers so close to that wet saw, this seems to be a skill for the steady handed people

@imacrazy6872

3 жыл бұрын

That's what she said!

@lisae3663

3 жыл бұрын

Ima Crazy 😝 😂

@KNBARON

3 жыл бұрын

The wetsaw doesn’t hurt your hands

@Its_LumberJack

3 жыл бұрын

It's not the end of the world if you knick yourself on the diamond blade. Just rubs off a bit of skin

@jeremyklein953

3 жыл бұрын

@@KNBARON ya I think he means the buzz saw. God I puckered up on that

You tease. I am on the edge of my seat. Very nice stones. Excellent cutting. I really appreciate you taking the whole parcel and showing each one. It's like a masterclass.

@blackopaldirect

4 жыл бұрын

You are welcome and am glad you get value

Wow this is amazing. I have so much respect for what you do, I was scared the whole time watching it. But utterly fascinated at the same time.

It's seriously terrifying, to see a thumb THAT close to a spinning saw blade.

@michaeltuffin5002

3 жыл бұрын

For some reason I have an uncle in Tasmania n a cousin in Queensland who lost digits.

@livingadamman7994

3 жыл бұрын

Not as dangerous as it looks, the main reason is there is essencially no teeth just a fine diamond grit impregnated into the cutting edge, if its a wood saw blade different story it will tear a finger off no worries, but this is you touch will take a tiny bit of skin at worst a an abrasion of the skin. Theres water as lubricant too

@Defector82

3 жыл бұрын

Smh. All these these people worried about this man's fingers. Its a wet saw. It won't cut ya..

@handlesarefeckinstupid

3 жыл бұрын

It's not a saw. It's a fine abrasive disc. It will do very little to your skin.

@William.Shakespeare

Жыл бұрын

@@handlesarefeckinstupid as a poor old carpenter , when i am ready to put a final polish on whatever i had been shaping or cutting i have an old belt sander flipped upside down using a belt that has no grit left and is just very thick high velocity cloth . i set the deadman flip it over and polish away .

Opal is my FAV by far! Its literally got ALL the colors of the world! wow!

How the heck does he hold onto such small, slick pieces?! Amazing!

@avakerry431

3 жыл бұрын

With water running! Amazing!!!!

Oh man, my hearts in my throat watching the stone around the ten minute mark. You’re working with treasures dude. Like really really expensive gems! 😳 So so sooooo much respect mate.

@Rookie_Rockounding

4 жыл бұрын

And then the next one just dude. Seriously a craftsman.

@Rookie_Rockounding

4 жыл бұрын

Sorry, more comments but I found myself talking to the phone as I watched at 22:23... “yeah, do it, I reckon you’re good” haha! Man this is intense

@blackopaldirect

4 жыл бұрын

Haha thank you 🙏

@jo-anasanto2908

3 жыл бұрын

@@blackopaldirect 👍

@Datsunut

2 жыл бұрын

True. More stress than I want in my life, but kudos to a master artist.

Totally amazed, had no idea that this is how stones were maid to perfection. Loved your expertise.

anyone else think it looked good after the intial sand was taken off? man, theres barely anything left of the gem

@grimfpv292

3 жыл бұрын

Heartbreaking to watch gems get cut. You'll probably always question decisions in hindsight.

@lynnscott8286

3 жыл бұрын

I liked the little bit of sand on it

@Isai314

3 жыл бұрын

Yep

@MyCleverHandle

3 жыл бұрын

Kind of like raising kids. The best only shows itself after much abrasion and patience. The beauty is worth the effort.

So never have cut a stone in my life and always have been interested in lapidary. With that being said, I usually call your shots ahead of time and get it right at least 95% of the time with the way you handle your stones. I have a perfectionist mentality and I think I’m going to get into this hobby. I’m a Metal Detectorist and find some cool stones out digging. I think I may have found my second calling. Thank you for all your videos. I watch your stuff constantly. You break down everything for somebody interested in getting into this. Much appreciated!

"I lost it...." To be continued.... Awww no you didn't. I can't handle it, the suspense is just to much... 😱

@craiggamache9920

4 жыл бұрын

Go back one vid........ things will be revealed! Partly!

@CarisseH

4 жыл бұрын

@@craiggamache9920 lol I know right. I did watch it last week. It was a really good video.

@beautifinessgal7478

4 жыл бұрын

You're killing me!

@sharonlewis7638

3 жыл бұрын

@Donald J ...no I think that’s diamonds. Opals are unicorn variegated pee pee. Pretty sure of that, because they’re more rare and definitely more colorful and brilliant. Jk

Its amazing what the world creates underneath it all. From gems like this to a lathed piece of wood. Nature is amazing.

Being a retired teacher, I would love to give my wife an Opal it almost a dream for me. However I don't think I can afford an Opal as beautiful as I think they are. I really love watching your channel I find it exciting watching you work.

Fair shout, respect to the guys who risk their lives to mine this underground 👍 stay safe

Risk it the color bar down under is better. lol down under. you're awesome man.

Feel privelaged to be allowed to watch a master at work!😁👍

The colors exposed from grinding off the sand are incredible!

I enjoyed watching you work with the lager piece. Being more difficult, I learned a lot more about how you understand opal. Very cool Mr Justin!

I wish we get a video back in the shed where it all began..great beginnings to great admiration..to the world of Opal. Thank you J BOD

I'm so glad I found your channel, it is captivating and amazingly soothing. I'm not sure if it's because of the familiar Aussie accent, but obviously you have fans from all around the globe who are also amazed and comforted by your way of talking about your passion

This is a great video! It makes me feel so lucky to have an opal stone. I've had it for years, its in a teardrop shape and I'd love to have it made into a necklace or ring for my daughter one day.

@californiatimes1

2 жыл бұрын

Try wire wrapping it 🤯😍

There is nothing better than watching a craftsman practice their craft. Thank you for sharing.

Aww, geez... **paces back and forth, waiting for Part 2**

It's utterly captivating to watch you grinding down with such precision; these little rocks that took millions of years to form, in order to reveal those intense colours and beauty. Incredible video. ❤️

I was a Jewelcrafter in World of Warcraft and just now I understand why this profession is in the game. Fascinating stuff.

Look out people!!! Justin's about to go Rambo on a couple opals. Oh... wait........ cliffhanger!!! Someone's been watching alot of movies in quarantine.🤣 Upload the sequel QUICK!!! Just joking. Can't wait to see the larger opal finished. Thanks again for sharing. Be safe. Much Love from California 💣

@blackopaldirect

4 жыл бұрын

I have been watching Netflix too. I'll be back lol

I used to work in a large jewellery shop in Switzerland. We had an Australian gentleman, a gem dealer, who came in every now and again, he'd offer us staff gems after the big sales were over, so he'd have less to carry on his way back home. Showed us photographs of the largest opal found to date (1992?), too risky to transport, because we know they don't like to travel by air. It was the size of a fist. I bought a large peridot off him, which I had set in 18kt gold and still wear. Memories...

This is so informative how to cut but also how to evaluate the stone and see what's inside without cutting.

Oh if your high school shop teacher could see you now.

@blackopaldirect

3 жыл бұрын

lol

Such a kind and generous gesture of you to cut for someone, and sharing the knowledge and video. Its a Beautiful Opal and your video just added value to this precious stone.

I found your channel from this video. gotta say wish i could sit here all day and watch you cut opal, didnt know this was a thing and i really want to cut my own some day because of these!

That deeper layer appears thicker and brighter. No guts, no glory! 👍

@blackopaldirect

4 жыл бұрын

I love you Adrian

@coolhandluke1503

4 жыл бұрын

Gotta risk it for the biscuit

Oh my god. I am obsessed with this. I need so many more of these videos.

Love this business and its challenges of choosing the stones, artistic but more importantly well-made decisions based on understanding geoogy, materials behaviour, techniques and, most importantly, the monetary risks one takes in creating these artistic gems! Wow! A new world has opened through your podcasts! Thank you!

We’re dangling off the cliff here! I was so totally absorbed in the cutting it was a shock when you abruptly stopped! This is by far one of the very BEST videos you have ever made. So glad there will be a Part 2! Is the owner getting all those gorgeous gems back? Lucky.

@blackopaldirect

4 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

Mass respect. I know how kind you were to do that for him.

I've never thought stones could be so interesting. Damn I'm nervous man

Oh hell. How dare you "hang up" on us? Lol. I don't know if you know how many of us share every moment. Every emotion. Get nervous for you. We love it. You always say that you won't cut for others, but you have used the opportunity for a REALLY good "thriller" for us. Thanks again, Justin. Love and good health to all, from Dimboola.

@blackopaldirect

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you Nancy Haha yes I thought so too. I very happy to have shared this one. it took alot of brain power and figuring out

Talking as you go through the process is really helpful and entertaining! The resulting stones are beautiful. Thank you for the video!

Beautiful stones! -Just beautiful. I found this so pleasing and educational to watch. You approached this carefully and slowly and revealed the beauty of the stones very well.

I love watching you work, I learn so much as you talk about what your doing. Thank you

SO beautiful! Opal is my birthstone and my favorite gem so I love, love, love watching your channel. Thank you for all the informative videos! Have a wonderful weekend.

Lol I love the music in the beginning lol So dramatic! Love it!! lol You guys are awesome :)

@blackopaldirect

Жыл бұрын

Thank you chicky

Takes my breath away. So beautiful. I love Opals. You have such talent. ❤️

Awe!!! I was so engaged in what the outcome would be that I actually felt like my stomach dropped like on a roller-coaster when you ended the video. AWESOME HOOK THOUGH! Well done once again Justin! Thanks for your time and effort! Looking forward to the next video, part 2.

@blackopaldirect

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you Xander

Just the way the red shines through and plays with the light, even through the sand, is astoundingly beautiful.

The skills shown here are off the chart! Justin also swears less than just about every Australian I know. (On Camera, I have no idea off screen) ;)

@blackopaldirect

4 жыл бұрын

Haha thank you. Not all Aussies swear. I do too but only the uneducated swear in public. We have a few of them in the land of OZ lol

@blacksorrento4719

3 жыл бұрын

Oh my Goodness the terrible image we present the rest of the world. The majority of Australians can string many a sentence together in succession without the use of a profanity. Wonderful video by the way. 👍

You did an excellent job cutting and forming the opal into magnificent stones , it has always been my favorite rock to search for

Yessss, I love the idea of Part 2 videos! I was drooling the whole time, some amazing color in there! Makes my heart flip knowing the earth did made it.

@blackopaldirect

4 жыл бұрын

More to come! thank you

My goodness! I started to have a stomach ache from watching the video! It's so risky. One would need years of skill and experience. The result is amazing!!! Thank you for the video!

@cathifamjourney469

4 жыл бұрын

Ikr! Good thing Justin has both of those qualifications. 😊

@blackopaldirect

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

12:35 OMG, That K Letter Into The Stone Is PERFECT !!

The sound of the grinding wheel against stone is making my teeth hurt, but I wear dentures! Go figure..🤔

Hiya Justin Ran into your channel by accident. Have become a huge fan. I didn't know anything about opals. Learning fast. Thanks for educating me

Justin is legit in what he does and everything he offers us. Recently bought a parcel from him and I must say. Beautiful pieces of opal and couldn't be happier. The biggest stone I have seems to have two color bars and going to cut two beauties, and still have the smaller stones to cut. Money is irrelevant when the journey and gamble is the exciting part. Don't doubt this man or his heart, its in the right place. I'll make a video of my purchased and show you he's trying to help those who want to help themselves. Can't thank him enough with kinds words

@blackopaldirect

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you. Very kind words

Justin, this is your best cutting video I've seen. Pure artistry and a pinch of drama for good measure. I can't wait...

@blackopaldirect

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Bob I appreciate the compliment

You did a great job Justin, who would of thought cutting opals were so stressful. Can't wait to see the next video.

@blackopaldirect

4 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it!

I have held my breath for so long I'm getting a headache!!

I know you say you don’t want to do videos like this but honestly I could sit here and watch days of this this is one hell of a video

Holding us in suspended Justin! Looking forward to part two.

What a gentleman you are Justin. Very good of you to do that for them. 🙂👍

@blackopaldirect

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you

“WHEEEEEEW” -Justin’s wheel, 2020

Might be your best video to date! Looking forward to part 2 :)

Wonderful colors. Opals are my favorite stones. Much nicer than diamonds.

Black opals are by far the most beautiful.

Beautiful job . You have an amazing sense of where the beautiful opal is .

I can't believe your going to leave us hanging to see how it turns out!! Wow the color your going to grind off is amazing

@janisrice246

4 жыл бұрын

You’re

@kathysmith4261

4 жыл бұрын

Janice Rice thank you for the grammer lesson😁

@kathysmith4261

4 жыл бұрын

Well poo I spelled your name wrong but it is the proper use of your.

@Wutzmename

3 жыл бұрын

I'm hunting grammar nazis. FOUND ONE PEW PEW JANICE

OMG to have the knowledge and the skill you have to cut these beautiful opals they are my favourite stone of all time x

@blackopaldirect

3 жыл бұрын

🙏🙏

Nooooo! I need to see part two. Really interesting, I love opals and it’s fascinating to see how they are cut.

@blackopaldirect

4 жыл бұрын

kzread.info/dash/bejne/im12xbajp7bAe9o.html

You are so brave, Justin!

@blackopaldirect

4 жыл бұрын

chest is out now :-p

These are my favorite stones...such beautiful colors...well done👍👍👍

This video reminds me of the moment I saw my father shaping a gemstone like this and it took my breath way.

@chaotictranquility228

3 жыл бұрын

What did he use?

@chaotictranquility228

3 жыл бұрын

Like, I would love to do this, but I’m not sure what I could use without spending a bunch of money on whatever that guy is using.

@riyaagarwal4797

3 жыл бұрын

@@chaotictranquility228 There are specific machines which fits the disk plates of variety of sizes and sharpness like in this video he is using. I’m not sure about the pricing of machine.

WoW, You make It look so easy, when I know your grinding It off holding your breath. Love love your videos.

I have had no exposure to the world of opals until now and I am so impressed! It seems that the opal has no value until Justin puts his skill and magic into it. If I ever buy a piece, it will be from him.

This was awesome to watch, thank you

I didn’t expect to be as excited as I was watching this!

This was exciting to watch! And the cliffhanger at the end has me waiting for part two! Great job!

@blackopaldirect

4 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

Im definantly interested in what comes out of that stone

Just found your channel whilst at work, cant take my eyes off the screen!

@blackopaldirect

3 жыл бұрын

Haha awesome don’t forget to subscribe

Justin! A cliffhanger?! 😆 im looking forward to seeing the results. Also the opal I bought from you should be here any day now. Looking forward to it. Im saving for a nice rough parcel also.

@blackopaldirect

4 жыл бұрын

haha thank you. Yes the shipping has been challenging to get to you on time. I hope its not much longer

NOOOOO! I must know what happens next! This is really one of my favorite channels haha thank you so much for posting.

@blackopaldirect

4 жыл бұрын

More to come! tomorrow

Wow, that was amazing! I followed along the whole way, and as you made your choices and showed the results of them, I told myself, yep I can see that but have no idea how you did it. LOL It made sense as you were saying things, but you had to say them in order for me to realize it. I don't cut stones, and I think it is a very good thing for both the stones and myself that I don't. But I sure love watching you!!

@blackopaldirect

4 жыл бұрын

Hahaha now thats funny

I was totally imersed in your decision making and then you were gone. Ido hopeyoucome back finish the project, thank you so much noel nz

@blackopaldirect

3 жыл бұрын

Yes the second half is also on my channel

When you said the color is “decent” my jaw fell to the floor those green shades were SO BEAUTIFUL😍😍😍

Wow, I was on the edge of my seat watching you cut those and looking at the timer on the video I said no not a cliffhanger, but here we are. Amazing work you do there Justin, thanks for the insight and the entertainment. Hope all is well and I can't wait for part II!

@blackopaldirect

4 жыл бұрын

Hahah sorry William the video would have just gone too long as one video

@Madlintelf

4 жыл бұрын

@@blackopaldirect I hear you, it was a perfect segue for the next one!

Thats what i call professional work man 😍👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻 always here watching the things u do and learning on how id be working on my first opal when i get it 😇 keep up the good work man

@blackopaldirect

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much 😀

That was very relaxing to watch, thanks.

Leaving us on a real cliffhanger😳 can’t wait to see the next part!!😅👍

This is really amazing to watch. The beauty of those opals is just mind blowing. I'm looking for a new hobby & have collected interesting stones my whole life. I think this is next level stuff though & may take the rest of my life to even try to reach this level. Thank you so much for sharing this captivating video 🤗

That was so educational. Thank you for sharing. Cheers K

I think your making the right decision Justin to go for the 2nd colour bar 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼

Thank's friend 👏👏👏

This was very interesting. I absolutely love opals!