What a spectacular cut Justin. Thanks for your willingness to share your lifelong learned skill set with us. Amazing.

@blackopaldirect

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

Thanks Justin, another beautiful gem. So enjoy what you share. You've changed the course of my life , I know I speak for a lot of people. The world wide appeal and interest in opal has grown tremendously and you are a big part of that. Thanks mate.

@blackopaldirect

2 жыл бұрын

Wow, thank you!

My young daughter (first year at school) watched this with me. "Oooh Dad, that man made some treasure" You're certainly right Mia Blossom, that man made some treasure. Beautiful.

@blackopaldirect

2 жыл бұрын

Awwww! cute

I've watched your channel for quite awhile and never commented till now..you're an amazing craftsman and your opals are your representatives of the beautiful art that man and nature co create! Cheers, from Vancouver, Canada!

@blackopaldirect

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for showing up 🙏❤️

@exidy-yt

2 жыл бұрын

Heh, another of the Vancouver crew who loves Justin's channel! Happy Thanksgiving!

@Mk-qt2bl

2 жыл бұрын

Yuuuuup

These videos are some of the most well produced of any channels out there. Keep doing what you’re doing ya’ll. The finished gemstone is very beautiful, a treat to be able to see it come to life.

@blackopaldirect

2 жыл бұрын

Wow a big call and appreciate it

Hi, I am from Berlin Germany. Since I watched your videos , I bought some Australien Opals for my wife, for hand crafted jewelry and some for myself. So what shell I say, thank you 🙏😂👍 please never stop your show. 🥰

The light shining trough on double sided gems make the colors pop so much more! def one of my favorite gems

@blackopaldirect

2 жыл бұрын

Awesome huh 😊❤️

When you mentioned beyond liking the complements, you appreciate those who watch all your videos. I am one of those who find themselves not able to "not" watch. And I am one of those who has no interest what so ever in gems, or gemstones. Never have. I watch gold panning videos. But one day your channel trickled in. I love watching people turn wood as well. So it caught my interest. And I very much enjoyed your company. Watching you work, or dance with the stone is magical. And it's an art form. I still don't watch others polishing stones. Maybe someday. But as for Black Opal Direct, I wouldn't miss it. Pretty neat guy behind the wheel.

@blackopaldirect

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Geezer I am glad you are here watching on with no personal link to gemstones that really means you like my stuff ❤️😊🙏🙏🙏

@fshnbuddy2

2 жыл бұрын

Thank goodness he cuts better than he dances lol. He is truly amazing to watch and calming to listen to.

@judithburke1539

2 жыл бұрын

I like your comment, " behind the wheel". It made me grin, but maybe in front of the wheel works better for Justin.

To me the biggest compliment is when someone values your skills and opinion enough that they ask questions to learn from you. No greater gift than the gift of knowledge. Thank you for teaching some of us.

@blackopaldirect

2 жыл бұрын

That’s true Brody.

That is a beautiful stone. Cut perfectly. Makes me wish i had $4000.00 I've only been watching you for a few months but i love watching you work.

Justin, sometimes your videos are real cliff hangers when you just don't know if a knobby is gonna produce, or not. This was a very soothing cut, and it turned out a beauty. Always love watching you work, and please, keep up the commentary. Your insights about life in general and opal in particular teach me something new each time. Thanks

That crystal opal has a beautiful pattern and shine. Yes I like to hear your commentary and your music, both compliment your videos. Thank you Justin

@blackopaldirect

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Tony

You are my Saturday morning lazy day start. Love watching you cut stones… could lay in bed all day just watching. We are so lucky to live in this amazing country with such beautiful opals to be uncovered. Thank you for sharing your talent, humour and being a genuinely nice guy 😊

You're doing everything right good to listen to somebody who cares.👍🦅

Hey there Justin I take my hat off to you mate 🤠 The way you described your appreciation for our input to your videos and your work, was heartfelt and sincere to the fullest. I commend you for how you have chosen your words and really hope I can manage to meet you in person some day. Thank you very much, for allowing me to watch and learn so much from a man, I came to admire and respect ✊ Respectfully yours Jim

Your show helps me forget about the troubles of this world. What a great escape. Thanks Justin. 🙏

What a beauty! A simple gold band will make for a stunning double sided drop necklace. Congrats Justin. ✌

@blackopaldirect

2 жыл бұрын

Yes 👍

@vangu2918

2 жыл бұрын

It should gave a swivel, so that both sides can be seen.

@kurtilein3

2 жыл бұрын

I would set it in a larger oval white gold band, with 6 prongs coming in and holding the stone. This way you can see it from all sides, even the edges, and if you give the band enough thickness, a flat surface cannot touch the stone. You want to give the stone enough protection so that you can safely put the piece of jewellry on a flat surface. You would not want to risk a single point contact between the stone and something like a glass table.

@jamesbarisitz4794

2 жыл бұрын

@@vangu2918 100% right! 😃

I really enjoy watching you cut and shine all the opals. Don’t ever stop doing something you like doing and Thank you.

I know sounds crazy, but i just keep rewatching your videos..very relaxing

I love both crystal and white opals even more than the fire opals. This double sided one is gorgeous. I love your work, your craftsmanship, and your diligence to be the best artist you can be. And your dancing. Keep being you, you’re wonderful.

@blackopaldirect

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Madelyn

This MIGHT just be my favorite crystal opal you’ve cut. Just WOW! 😍❤️

@blackopaldirect

2 жыл бұрын

Haha awesome Melody

@melodywarda100

2 жыл бұрын

@@blackopaldirect AHH!! I’m so honored to get a comment back! You and your team are the best! ☺️🙌

Personally its just your passion for the adventure that each nobby presents that makes your channel worth exploring to see each stone take shape and present its color and pattern before the eyes.

I always watch you videos at night before I go to sleep. It’s a wonderful way to end the day with something positive, genuine, creative, and inspiring. It makes it easier to go to sleep, even if I’ve had a tough day. We all appreciate your skill so much, but I think many of us appreciate YOU and your genuine personality even more.

Beautiful stone, I like crystal opal even more than black opal. It's just perfect.

When u first showed it finished n polished my mouth opened wide with amazement.Opals hooked me years ago.I only wish I had the money to purchase n cherish a truly MAJESTIC stone like this one.GOD BLESS.

The hum of the motors turning and the telltale sound of the rough grinding as you press it into the wheels takes me back to the 80’s when my dad and my brother had a lapidary business in Boston Massachusetts They cut cabochons of tourmalines and star sapphires , spinels , garnets and rutilated quartz , topaz and emeralds I remember the dealers coming to buy the polished stones Opening the folded white envelopes in the black boxes The sound of the wheels is soothing Nice

I always enjoy watching you make these educational videos

Beautiful stone, I think the double sided crystals are my favorites. Speaking of, it would be cool if on your website you could add more search filters- I'm thinking like carats, body tone, dome type, brightness, crystal or not, double-sided or no, maybe even pattern. Because if you really like one stone, and want to see if another could be made a pair with it, would be a lot easier. Perhaps you buy one stone and wait for another to come along to match it with. Anyway just an idea

What a beautiful opal! This is the only gem cutting channel I watch, but I watch a lot of "creator" videos: Wood turning, cabin building, iron forging, etc. I don't follow that many channels (but I do follow yours). Mostly I watch anything KZread suggests that looks interesting. Two things prompted me to subscribe: The soothing sound of your voice and the surprise of opal cutting. At the start, you almost never know what you'll get at the end. It's great to watch a master craftsman create a thing of beauty.

I never knew about your channel till my grandson told me about you - I’m amazed at your craftsmanship. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your craft and art!

@blackopaldirect

2 жыл бұрын

Awesome! Thank you!

Simply the best gem cutter on this planet for opals 💎🙏💎

You make it look so easy, turning an unassuming slightly shiny rock into a marble of pure star light Your skills are hidden behind your humility and gentlemanly demeanor which make your videos such compulsory viewing I would love to have a small shed at the end of my English garden, with a grinding wheel humming away but I feel I just wouldn't have the patience to learn the skills that you have acquired over your lifetime So I will content myself by just watching you

The grippers and complainers need to chill and just appreciate the fact that you give of yourself and come on KZread to share your talent and wisdom with us out here who have interest in what you do. You just do you Justin and ignore the whiners

@blackopaldirect

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Shirley. Yes I am not a large production company. I film and edit myself. I’m def not perfect 🙏🙏

I have always loved an iridescent sheen on anything, like a soap bubble or an oil slick. I have been particularly attracted to opals from a very young age when I saw a huge opal at my local museum. It was part of a traveling exhibit and didn't stay long. I spent many minutes gazing at it behind glass under bright display lights. I went back several times when my family wandered off. They knew where to find me when it was time to go.

@blackopaldirect

2 жыл бұрын

Ohhh you got it bad mate hahah

I really like those brief, tantalising flashes of blue.

I personally love the really bright crystal opals, they are the closest to being able to hold a rainbow in your hands. Magnificent work along with wise words- you are like an opal Yoda.

What a gorgeous Crystal opal! That has got to be worth more than 4K!

I love watching you cut and polish opals.

Extremely enjoyable as usual, you make them come to life!

Amazing it’s my dream someday to have a crystal opal in a ring

I watch every video Justin...every single one. You are the reason I became an opalholic and a cutter. I'm saving for my dream machine right now...it takes so long for the best. Meanwhile, I carve and I watch your videos to get my cutting fix. Thank you for sharing all your knowledge. It's helped me become so much better. BTW... Crystal is my favorite as well. This one was simply beautiful. Thank you!💙

@blackopaldirect

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the kind words like a ray of sun shining through ❤️

Hi Justin, Another really wonderfully done video on opal cutting, Thanks for taking the time to show us and teach us the best ways to cut this magnificent gem, thanks again, Angus

I think that is one the nicest crystal opals you have created for us Justin. As us Aussie's say, "bonza bloody bewdy mate" !!! 👍

Your videos are great Justin, your concern for your fellow human beings just shines through!

I always love hearing the amazement in your voice when you see the colour coming through

Opal is stunning! Enjoy watching you work.

Also, what you do is an art form and you are a gem for sharing it with us. P.s. your my hero for liking everyone's comment on here.

It must be an amazing feeling to see what you’ve done to a bland piece of earth by transforming it to a true work of art that has taken on a life of its own

absolute stunner. very heartfelt message towards the end, we love watching you work your magic Justin!

@blackopaldirect

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Jacob

What I love most about your videos is the way explain everything from start to finished gem. Also I've been in love with opals for over 40 years. You cut and polish some of the best opals I've ever seen. You sir are a master of your craft. And your eye for picking raw gems is unmatched in my opinion.👍☮️

@blackopaldirect

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you sonny

@sonnypate6808

2 жыл бұрын

@@blackopaldirect No thanks needed brother. You are the best I've ever seen. I will catch myself thinking he's not going to get a good stone out of that raw piece. But then you figure a way to coax a pounder gem. Love your show and your dedication to this crazy rock we all cherish so much. 👍☮️

So glad I found your channel. I love the sound of the wheel, the view you give us, and yes your chat, it all makes me miss the local lapidary club a bit less since I had to give it up. The members were always so willing to teach and train anyone interested, and you have the same generosity. They always laughed at my iddy bitty opals, not worth much but such fun! My weak fingers could handle them. Watching almost makes me feel like I'm right there. Thanks for your channel and the nostalgia, from Rockhampton.

And we all appreciate you Justin👍🏻 Your vids are on point! Very entertaining and educational. You really do brighten up my day when I see the notification😀 Keep them coming⛏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Thank You so much Boss👍👍👍 Watching your wonderful Opal cutting gemstone videos is like looking into Heaven I reckon🙏🙏🙏

I love this stone.. crystal is my fave! would set it as a pendant to wear on either side... Stunning 🥰

@blackopaldirect

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you

@kevinstruke1031

2 жыл бұрын

Definitely a pendant stone. I could not agree more.😊

I've been watching your channel for a bit of time now, and I can tell you that the quality has become better. The shifting up of angles, the voiceovers, the editing...I love the whole shebang, and it's always a relaxing experience full of learning new things and appreciating what must've taken you decades to master. Thank you for sharing your insights and heartwarming aspects of your life. Lots of love from Beirut!

@blackopaldirect

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for noticing ZMK

This one looks good enough to eat! I had a feeling from the start that the back would be amazing too. Great job Justin! The music is nice and soothing. I also love to hear you talk about opal, your experiences, what fun you have, and just to get tickled at your silliness! I watch every video of you cutting and look forward to them so much. So exciting to log into KZread and see a new opal video! I simply can't watch the few other opal cutters. Sorry, just telling the truth. You are the master IMO. I hope that one day soon you can apprentice someone with as much love, enthusiasm and talent for cutting opal as you do. To lose all that wisdom of your father's and yours would be such a loss! Thanks Justin!

What a perfect opal! Stunner

just wanted to say thanks again . very nice time . You are relaxing and intriguing to watch doing youi best is my moto in my 65 years of life. Keep making these I really enjoy watching

Really pretty lemon-lime yellow showing too, so.lovely.

Beautiful stone! Someday I'll be there in Australia to mine some like that for myself. A long way from Hilo Hawaii though 🤙

The lighting makes your hands apperr bloody! Wow!! Gorgeous gem

This time i watch your hands. you made the enoght presure to remove what's not needed. Impresive. Thanks for teaching new things to us.

KZread stopped showing me your videos and I just realized how much I've missed watching you.I'm getting dangerously close to buying myself an opal for Christmas.

Wow, you do amazing work making those gorgeous Opals. Thank you for sharing yourself with us!

That opal is gorgeous! I personally like the little flashes of violet that keep popping in the light.

you know what i love? You always improve with each video, and if there is a issue, its rarely replicated in the next video. Great stuff.

@blackopaldirect

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much and thanks for noticing

Doing a great job. Like that you get directly into things without a bunch of malarkey.

Thank you, I really appreciate your videos. I like it when you talk and explain the process. I like your jokes, I just enjoy watching and listening.

I love your nerve wracking, edge of my seat videos, and I also loved this one, so calming and gentle. I've found that what ever the subject on KZread, it is the person who really makes me subscribe and continue.. and YOU are that, in spades! Your humor, charm, and wonderful abilities as a teacher (even to me, who will never cut a stone!) really stand out. Thanks Justin, you bring a lot of light to a pretty cloudy world these days.

@blackopaldirect

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the kind words Didi

Absolutely no complaints here! Love your channel, love your work! I have watched every one of your videos! I've never rubbed a stone but it has always intrigued me! Thank you!

I love these videos! I do like the commentary and the music. I wouldn’t change a thing if I were you. The best part is seeing the polished gem at the end and seeing all the care and hard work pay off.

Been so busy lately, glad I stopped to watch one or 2 videos, glad I did . Beautiful gem 😊🇨🇦

for how light it is this is a gorgeous stone!

I love listening to you as well as learning by watching when you are quite! Don't stop the happy dance either because if I cut one like you do I'd dance all night!

@blackopaldirect

2 жыл бұрын

Love that! haha Thank you

I love seeing how these turn out. Just a beautiful gem.

I'm definitely here because of you, and the passion passed down to you. I find you to be a very genuine human being and I really appreciate you too, I think most of us truly do. Thanks for being a good person it's a pleasure to listen and watch weekly!

@blackopaldirect

2 жыл бұрын

Wow, thank you Jeff

That's one of the nicest non-black opals you've cut (on the channel), thanks for sharing the experience Justin =)

Justin, I've fallen in love with Opals (black opals, and others too) just because of watching you and your channel. That stone turned out gorgeous, if I was mounting it, I'd want it in a setting that let it rotate freely when worn, both sides are equally beautiful. Thanks for staying humble, and being so fantastic, you rock and my only disappointment today was no happy dance :) Bill Borgeson from Bensonhurst Brooklyn

As long as Tipper is the dog, we’ll forgive you🤣. I absolutely love watching your videos! They keep me motivated to keep going with my jewelry making business!

Hi Justin, It's Catherine from Ontario. The reason why you haven't heard from me in a few months, is that I moved from Nova Scotia to Ontario to be with my for which I haven't seen for 17 years. But I have seen some of your videos. Omgosh this one is beautiful. Your amazing at bringing out the beauty of these precious gems. I've never seen up close a opal. But I think there the most beautiful gem in the world. I hope all is well and healthy with you, and the family. Catherine ❤😊

@blackopaldirect

2 жыл бұрын

Nice to see you back Catherine

I think your craft, your videos, your opals and YOU are brilliant one of a kind gems! but especially you. we all love you!!

@blackopaldirect

2 жыл бұрын

🙏❤️

That's a sparkler! I think I'm in love, but as always my taste is bigger than my pocket. Whoever is lucky enough to buy this stone I hope you give it the attention if deserves. I have a small Crystal Opal from the 70's. My 1st piece of real jewelry and I still cherish it.

That's a beautiful stone and very well cut and polished!

I like the back, the way the red/orange show through gives it depth.

Im glad you polished the back and always try to remove as much sand and potch as possible. I've see too many opal cutters leave extra carrots of potch to increase the value. I'm not criticizing them for it. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do but when purchasing opal I shy away from those stones.

I wasn't sure about the side you chose and was relieved when you decided to polish both. What an amazing gem! Justin does it again!

keep being a badass, love watching you turn ruble into gems. I've learned a ton, we have opal in the state I live in, in the USA...now just need a gem master or cab king...lol

Everything was perfect. Just the right amount of everything. The opal is beautiful

@blackopaldirect

2 жыл бұрын

🙏❤️

I love watching your videos! Opal is one of my favorite stones. It's like a rainbow got stuck in a rock. 😊 Thank you so much for sharing with us. From Arkansas, USA.

It's a beautiful stone, been watching for years now and have been happy to see your work and learning from you too. Thank you for sharing Opel with me. I'll be praying for freedom for Australia, and for us here in America 💯🙏✝️

An absolutely beautiful crystal. Love it. Thanks for sharing your world with us, Justin.

Wow That pass. wiped out mostly all of the rusty colour It really really made left me amazed! 🇨🇦❤

This is my favorite video format that you make. It's what I want to watch next to the fireplace this coming winter.

@blackopaldirect

2 жыл бұрын

Haha awesome 🙏❤️

Hi. I’m the new girl here. Nice piece! I’ve always loved opals as it is my birthstone. Through you I’m learning about them. It’s apparent you love what you do. Thanks for the education.

Simply gorgeous! Don't you love it when a stone speaks to you?! Opal is my birthstone ....lucky me!

@blackopaldirect

2 жыл бұрын

This is true Kay

Wow!!! So beautiful 😍 I've been watching you for a couple months now. I think this might be my favorite gem. Thank you for being such family friendly channel. My 6 year old and I love watching you work.

I liked seeing the colour reflect on the wheel.

hello Justin you share my middle name just wanted to say my wife and I live in Edmonton Alberta Canada for a long time before we found your KZread it was hard to find something that made my wife smile I could see life return back in my queens face and eyes she has been through so much in her life thank you for being a legend at what you do and the joy you bring us watching your content with no politics or any crap thank you one day we hope to buy some of your opals you do be blessed and God bless your family .

@blackopaldirect

2 жыл бұрын

Wow Jeremy. Kind words. I am glad to make a difference

We all love it when a plan comes together, great video, good stone, EXCELLENT cutting as always. L 👍👍

@blackopaldirect

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Leonard

Yes, this one is a really good cut. While I'm a huge fan of the black opals, you have shown "clearly" that crystal opals can also hold their own. especially this fine gem. Well done sir.