I would take opal over diamonds any day, they are the most beautiful stone to me. Reminds me of the northern lights. My mother bought me my first opal when I was 14 and I still have it 15yrs later. I wish I had the skill and knowledge to work with the stones like you do! Sanding it layer by layer and seeing all the different colors appear is magical.

@jackaubrym

5 жыл бұрын

When he was describing the vertical lines I immediately thought of the northern lights. Yeah opals are amazing

@vasili1207

5 жыл бұрын

How about opel wedding ring is that desirable?

@anishulislam148

4 жыл бұрын

So let me do the match here 14 years old + 15 years later = 29 years

@aronoddi5465

4 жыл бұрын

Lucky Lex , you can learn . Probably will be very good loving opal so much . I’m auss , and indifferent to it myself 😬 But yes I agree with you kiddo ,very beautiful.

@scottryals3191

4 жыл бұрын

@@aronoddi5465/playlists Opal, being fairly soft, you can do a credible job with diamond needle files and sand papers. Finnish it with a leather fingernail buff and a little cerium oxide. Except for the polish, don't use any water - it goes slow enough that there are no heat problems, and, because you can see most problems developing slowly, you can "head 'em off at the pass", so to speak. You don't need a million dollars worth of equipment to cut an opal. I've done it many times.

I find your videos so informative and fascinating. And your workmanship is amazing.

Love the way you give information about the stones you cut. Opal is my favorite gem stone and watching your videos has helped me to learn more about them. Thanks so much and keep em coming

This video was so cool. I am a Gemology enthusiast. Every video with good info like this one gets me closer to my goal of actually working with stones. Thank you for the great video. Keep them coming Sincerely, Jesse.

@DevilsAvocado69

5 жыл бұрын

Start small buy things that are expensive but easy to sell. That way you can buy quality items and not be stuck with trash. This guy is skilled and really Its his skill making these valuable. That being said happy hunting.

Thanks for another informative video Don. It is always a pleasure to watch professionals work and get to hear how they problem solve. Cutting opals is all about problem solving on the fly😉

This is so stunning! I’m so impressed with your knowledge and how well you explain things

Ahhh I am so excited to see the final product,in all it's Glory. Well done. Who ever got those gems got a gift that will keep on giving x

Thank you for all of your videos. Highly informative and interesting.

Absolutely Gorgeous, Great work! I love how passionate you are with it, thanks!

Just recently found your channel and I love that you go into such detail about each opal that you work with. I didn't realize how many different kinds of opal there are out there. Thank you. :)

I’ve never even seen opal in person and starting to learn and get into it and it’s so cool. Everything about the different opals is so amazing looking and blows my mind Mother Nature can do such beautiful stuff. I’m ready to go dig some opals!!!!!! Love your videos sir very informative and interesting and you do very very nice work!! Keep up the great videos!!

Love your videos! I’m learning so much from you and can’t wait to see all your videos. It’s going to be a marathon😀Keep up the amazing work!

I just found your channel. It is wonderful. I am learning a lot about opal. It my favorite stone. Thanks for sharing your knowledge, it is appreciated!

I've learned more about cutting opals from you than I have from any other source

Hi, I really enjoy watching how something so beautiful slowly emerges.

I like your methodology. You explain things and explain why you do it. Thankyou

I'm amazed that "low-grade" opal is so beautiful.

Certainly embrace you working thru the stones and hearing your thoughts as you evaluate. Newby to all of it so learning, very helpful, thanks!

You're such a talented lapidary artist and o pop al expert. Even though I didn't win anything,I feel I've learn new knowledge about goals and that's priceless! Thank you very much!💖

I've to stumble upon your video and find it very fascinating to watch your videos. Even the low-grade opals are beautifully sparkled. Thanks for the videos.

Love watching what you do! Beautiful work!

Awesome colours! Love the diversity of opals you share with us

You have introduced me to this wonderful world of opals. Thank you!

There are already more than 600 commenters, but I will say your work creating the one "keeper" should be admired. It is lovely.

The opals look fantastic! I really appreciate your work, its allways nice to see how you turn a rough stone in to a beautiful gem!

I'm a jewelry design student thinking if going into lapidary arts. Your channels always inspires me and gave me a deep love for opals.

@anthonyromero5479

5 жыл бұрын

Awesome,get some low end pieces to start with. Also find a good honest dealer I had to get burned a few times when I started just part of the live and learn aspect of everything. Whatever stones you plan on using most,study study study them, I used mostly turquoise and man there is so many colors , mines and whatnot,real easy to think you hit paydirt when it's really not even average material.good luck and hope you become very successful

Love seeing your videos pop up in my feed, good content and commentary

You’re so good at what you do!! I love learning about opal, it’s my fav gemstone!!!!!!! ❤️

Love the videos. Keep them coming. I started looking at rocks on the beaches, no agate here on the east coast. Thank you for all you do.

Opals are very beautiful. The different colors it has just mesmerize me. 😍

Thank you for another informative video. The variety and color of the stones you get to cut must be very satisfying for you. Keep up the good work.

Absolutely amazing. I am so fortunate to have such a varied birthstone. Great presentation.

You have sparked a new interest in me I have watched many of your videos and just dig every one of them. Always let enjoy learning new things. Would love to get my hands on some of that opal too! lol.

Enjoying your video series very much.... I especially like watching you treat the Andamooka. I'll be looking out for future posts.

As a lifelong opal lover, & eventual "opalaholic", have always loved learning, & especially keen to hear/learn from those with good knowledge, of all kinds. It is always so encouraging when generous people, like yourself, are willing to share valuable time, energy, & expertise. So many crucial things going on in life, & mostly since endeavering into youtube/social media, have been focused on news related "issues", mostly pertaining to the USA, our survival & future of our Constitutional Republic, & also freedom, etc. WW. While that is still my main focus, I can't tell you what a wonderful thing it was to discover the wealth of heart in individuals posting in this "field", & while the gems & esp. info are invaluable, & a welcome, even needed break from all the worlds pressing issues, it 's the spirit of you all sharing your passions, that are without a doubt, most precious of all! (Long but truly heartfelt way to say, hope you'll continue, please know it's appreciated >>> THANK YOU! ;)

I absolutely love watching your videos and the way you study the opal. What comes from them is absolutely amazing. I've bought some small pcs of whelo opal I believe it's called. I love turning and looking at the colors flow it's so relaxing.

Wonderful work on this one, I allways learn something new about my favorite stone in the world in your videos. Opal has allways had my heart as in most gemstones you get one or two colors while with opal you can have the whole damn rainbow, comes in endless color an pattern combinations an no two stones are ever the same and you can stare at an opal an allways see something new about it. It's why it's my personal favorite stone to collect an work with in my jewelry. Anyway I'm rambling, lol. Keep up the amazing work!

You don't need to put me in the drawing. I am here to see what you can coax from all your rough. It is always a thrill to see the colors shine through. Thank you for sharing your craft.😊

Wow, how cool. I had never seen the opal unpolished. I loved this video, you surprised me !! Great video, keep doing beautiful things !!! Best wishes from Brazil.

That was amazing, it looks like a multi coloured jellybean. So talented.

I've learned more from this man's videos then I have in 2 years great videos keep up the good work

I just purchased a 6" Cabking last week and I really appreciate your instruction in opal cutting and shaping. I would love to try my hand at it myself

@leesass3602

6 жыл бұрын

thanks I wanted 8" (i have large hands as well) but that machine was an additional $1000 dollars. I am a bladesmith and I am using the machine to add jewels to my knives.In the handles and scabbards.

@leesass3602

6 жыл бұрын

No although I wish I had been. I have been developing my skill set for the past 4 years and plan on launching as a business this Christmas season. I have some experience with cabbing machines through a friend that has a full stone cutting and shaping set up as well as a store for selling his finished products. I even had an opportunity to visit his and his brothers gold mine up in the sierra's. He has some dark grey stone(possibly Basalt?) with white quartz veins that contain gold I am hoping to get from him to make cabs with. Most Opal I have seen in California from Australia is mid grade quality at best

@leesass3602

6 жыл бұрын

I just spoke with my friend that has it , He said he has a box full somewhere but he has to find it. He has probably 50 or 60 boxes of stones so it may take some time, I'll let you know when I find out. When we visited his mine up in the Sierra's the local grocery store had gold scales next to the cash register so that the miner's could buy groceries directly with the gold that they had mined. It is a different world up there.

Me too! I love opal so much! I love your videos! Definitely subscribed ever since I found you, a few months ago! So glad I found your channel!🤗🙏❤🌈🌞

@morganlaware9374

5 жыл бұрын

Not many know, but opal is very good for anyone who suffers from anxiety and depression! It provides the energy an will to live life to the fullest, as well as be one with nature. They call it the "eye stone". Opal in the metaphysical aspects works as a prism ,with your light energy, spreading out all the different aspects of your soul separate, for healing or evaluating thy self on a whole. All an all, it has amazing energys, looks gorgeous, and helps make you feel happy and bright! Just like the man who makes these videos. Thankyou for the video's, very lovely!🙏😊

@morganlaware9374

5 жыл бұрын

@@PulitzerOpal Haha yes: its very good and that's so good to hear! Thankyou as well! 🤗🙏❤

I love your channel, it is amazing, and very informative. Thank you for teaching us.

I'm new to your site but love what I see. Watched about 10 videos in 1 night

Always a nice presentation, and your replys to viewers are star as well.

An adventure of discovery for sure. Interesting and exciting to watch. Thanks for making my day.

Hi am new (6 months) to gem collecting but have become mesmerized by opal. I never knew there were so many types. Have been working my way through your videos that are fascinating and so informative. Can't wait for your next post!. Please I would be honoured to be entered into your giveaway for only one piece so others can have some too. I am in the UK and would pay postage costs. Keep the videos coming and thank you for helping me learn so much xx

@stephanieosborne1433

6 жыл бұрын

Pulitzer Opal Hi and thanks for your reply. Are there really that many types of Opal. I have a few different ones and other gem stones I have bought. I must have about 40 gems now and am also collecting pearls. Opal, pearl, Moroccan Amethyst. Anahi Ametrine and Mawi Kunzite are some of my top favourites but Opal is right up there. I can only source about 6 types at the moment. I would be grateful if you have time and are able to drop me line with a few others that I could look out for and aquire. This is a legacy collection I am building that I will leave to my little granddaughter when I pass on to a higher place. Will be looking out for your next exciting post! If I wasn't as old as I am I have loved to get into gem cutting. Nevermind opportunity missed will stick to collecting and teaching myself silversmithing. Kind Regards Donald, Stephanie x

You are a generous man..Both in video content and your generosity,,

Just discovered your channel and I'm in love!

I'm learning so much. I realize I did not know anything momment of sadness. But your videos are so appreciated. Thank you

Randomly found your channel and love watching then progression ...who knows new hobby ;)

I love watching and listening as you cut the best opal possible. :)

I thoroughly enjoy watching you go into detail over your pieces. Opal is my girlfriends favorite gemstone. She would lose her mind if I gave her something like this.

You are a wealth of knowledge. I am learning so much.

Thank you💪💪👌👌👍👍💗💗💚💚👋i enjoy your craft immensely😀

I’m a new subscriber and I’m so SO excited to enjoy your content! 😊

I just found your channel and I know what I will be binge watching this weekend 😍

@misskaap9

5 жыл бұрын

@@PulitzerOpal omg love it. Still enjoy it 😊 lots of love from the netherlands 🇳🇱

@misskaap9

5 жыл бұрын

@@PulitzerOpal i studied 2 years in nijmegen. But I'm now studying in Breda and love the city. 😊 you should definitely visit more than Amsterdam. Amsterdam is more for tourists then Dutch people 😉

Although I'm from Scotland, a country with next to no history of gem production I find these videos fascinating. Thank you for taking the time to make them. It is always a pleasure to watch craftsmen at work.

@longlowdog

6 жыл бұрын

You're welcome. Scotland has very much grander scenery than England can ever hope to offer!!!

That is an awesome way to spread your knowledge! I really enjoyed watching your video as I am total rock hound at heart.

I'm just getting into working stone (haven't even gotten equipment yet) but your videos really do make it look super fun!

@melhawk8045

2 жыл бұрын

I've been playing with opal and fire agate. Careful, you will get hooked, quick! I just use a flex shaft on a WEN tool and diamond bits to get the business done!

Opal is my absolute favorite! Thanks for the awesome videos! I’m a new subscriber and brand new collector and rock hound! My hubby and I are currently on a one week vacation to Nevada and Arizona looking for opals, turquoise and of course gold!

Great honest speaker and presentation. Thank you

@marvinjacobs7058

5 жыл бұрын

FROM YOUR VOICE MY FRIEND AND YOUR HANDS. YOUR HANDS TALK THE WALK. PLEASE POST MORE OF YOUR FINISHED PRODUCTS. MAY I ASK IF YOU ARE SELLING AND WHERE TO GO. OH, HELLO FROM USA.@@PulitzerOpal

I love your videos I've learnt so much about opal cutting from you 🥰

Man it’s good to see how it goes from rock to polished pill shape and the process. 👍👍👍 I can’t wait to get a lapidary machine to work stuff I find, very inspiring watching your vids 🙏

@Rookie_Rockounding

6 жыл бұрын

Pulitzer Opal haha! I have a feeling that would definitely be the case 😁

I'll throw my name into the hat. Just by and by, the frosted look on the edge is probably from tumbling the rough when it comes out of the ground. I've seen some miners do that not only to clean off the opal, but using water in the tumbling process also lets the color shine better so they can sort it out from the common opal. Then some of them even whack a piece with a hammer on the edge (or snip it with tin snips) when it shows color, just to get a quick look at the color bar and see what color and form it has, to sort it into graded lots quicker. That's why some pieces might be frosted except one edge. Also, if you want a really nice way to inspect sand spots in stones, you might want to buy a collimated light source that will allow you to broadcast directional light underneath the imperfection. I use a small 123+ battery powered jade torch for inspecting opal, but they're very intense flashlights and they get hot to the touch after a couple minutes, so a longer flashlight is better in that regard. The column of light gives it more direction and by casting the light at the sand from different directions, and you'll see a shadow shooting off from the imperfection that will tell you it's shape and depth a lot easier. The super intense light really makes the stones sparkle when you hold it back from a distance, so if you have something with really nice flash but no sunlight to enjoy it in, a jade torch is almost as nice.

@scififanman

6 жыл бұрын

BTW, the torch I use is from Tank007, machined from solid aluminum with a single aircraft-grade LED to give the light better direction. They're a little pricey at $50, but you can find multi-LED ones from other manufacturers for around $10-$20 that should do well.

@mikailahiggins3911

6 жыл бұрын

I was going to suggest using a light source as well. Though, you've phrased it much better than I would have! :)

Thank you for the video. That is a beautiful stone. I purchased a Mintubi plate from Murray a month ago and I have been waiting to cut it. I hope it turns out as nice as yours.

Great job and God bless..I hope i will get the capsel shape to make some one happy here ...thank you for your informative info that you give about the opal cutting

Love your content! Can’t wait for the next video, so I’ll just keep binge watching lol

Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

I would love to have some Australian opal. I love learning from you, it's fascinating!!

Love watching these videos!

very kind of you! Thanks! I enjoy the show.

I find this very interesting. Never paid much attention to opal till watching your videos. I think its would be a great get into cutting and polishing as a hobby.

Very nice looking stones! Opals are incredible. It would be amazing to have an actual piece.

Just became interested in opal recently and find these stones incredibly beautiful. Want to learn to cut and polish. I'm not wealthy so it's going to take a lot of practice and patience, not to mention $$$. Just want o thank you for sharing your experience! I learn something new every time I watch your Utube presentation. Thank You! Keep sharing please!

I would love to have a piece of Mintabie seam opal. I've always found that all opals have their own special beauty. No 2 look alike and now matter how many times you look at a piece of opal, it always seems to look different. I love watching your videos, you always explain everything clearly, and the love you have for opals shows through.

@shadara5370

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! For the heart!

That’s the first time I have ever heard the term jelly opal and gives a good description of how the opal plays and looks thanks 😁👍

You are so awesome to do this giveaway. Thanks for all you do in these videos.

Very nice work, I'm from Guatemala and they have the most beautiful opals I never seen before in my country hope some day you can go there and enjoy them.

My grandmother got me into gem stones and opals are my absolute favorite this video was amazing thank you for sharing!!

@philosophersvolley4191

5 жыл бұрын

@@PulitzerOpal i grew up in Columbus so flat and lack luster here aswell. Luckily i had an awesome grandmother who loved those types of things.

I enjoy the videos a lot. I was always the kid who had a bookshelf full of rocks growing up. Plenty of flint here in Ohio, and lots of other stones, mostly odd shapes or colors. I’ve just got into tumbling some. Thanks for showing us your skill.

@clarkschwenke1

6 жыл бұрын

Will do, I live close to Nellie and would love to find some “Nellie blue” flint, but it’s all but gone now. Still looking though every time I head to the river.

I would gladly take them!! I love how they look- completely natural and beautiful.

I learn so much from your videos!

@ZeepDr

6 жыл бұрын

Pulitzer Opal No it's a character in a show that I like :) I've kind of adopted it as my online name

love watching your videos even though i will probly never in my life time get to learn or afford to make nice stones it is still nice to watch and learn what you do

Very nice work . Love opal working . Keep up the good work.

Love to work with that material, and thanks for the knowledge. Brian.

Good stuff! Around this time last year I started messing around with Opals and I got completely hooked. Great videos especially when it comes to the “how” and “why” of Opal cutting/shaping. It’s tough when you’re trying to learn with a Dremel without guidance on what to look for etc... Thx for the guidance!

@josha1536

6 жыл бұрын

Pulitzer Opal thanks so much. Do you have any thoughts on a beginner lap machine or just stick with the Dremel until after I read that book (or Two.) Thanks so much!

@josha1536

6 жыл бұрын

Pulitzer Opal Thanks!!

@josha1536

6 жыл бұрын

Pulitzer Opal One last question (sorry) any books or material that helps someone estimate Opals value? This is the hardest thing I’ve struggled with and can be frustrating. Thank You!

Love the informative videos!! You’re a wizard 🧙‍♂️

Wow stunning loving the process and seeing the end product as a hobbyist jeweler it's interesting to see how much work go into a gem

@meyermornetab

5 жыл бұрын

@@PulitzerOpal that is also true

BEAUTIFUL WORK THANKS TO SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE HAVE A GREAT DAY

I love watching you.Im learning alot!Thank you for the opportunity to win this!

Waow very beautiful and thank you for a great observation on these pieces as I’m starting lapidary and have a couple of nice piece that I thought would not bring much value but u have given them a new lease of life 😁💚 much appreciated

Nice little piece! Just getting into all this, but I've already learned quite a bit from your videos.

Your vids are addictive. I'm interested in getting even just a bit of treated matrix opal as they all have a fascinating shine

that was so impressive, going from a raw chunk all the way to the finished stone, been watching vid after vid an so far the jelly opal is one of my favs.

I'm learning alot from your channel, thank you.

Love ur shows on opals!

I enjoy your videos. Hope to see more.

Very nice video and decent stones . Always exciting to see what lies benieth surface.