Gold smithing: making an 18k gold opal pendant.

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  • Опубліковано 31 бер 2022
  • G’day everyone, I hope you’re all well! In this video I’ll be working with gold for the first time, making an 18k gold pendant, with a bezel set opal. For any silver smiths out there thinking of working with gold but are a bit unsure, fear not, other than the price, gold is no harder to work with than silver, but does take a bit more heat. I hope you enjoy, thanks for your time. 🤪👍
    theopalmills@gmail.com

КОМЕНТАРІ • 124

  • @michaelprue9024
    @michaelprue9024 3 місяці тому +1

    As if the doublet wasn’t already very beautiful, setting it in that gold bezel just kicked it into high gear.
    Nice job Phil.

  • @juliehaffenden6254
    @juliehaffenden6254 3 місяці тому +1

    Just discovered you! Beautiful opal in a beautiful setting. Thanks for sharing this. Truly inspirational.

  • @emilyjayne77
    @emilyjayne77 2 роки тому +3

    That is beautiful!! Goodness me! Opal deserves gold! Stunning..

  • @johnoakes6772
    @johnoakes6772 2 роки тому +3

    Looks good. Well done custom job , an original makes it more personal being "not off the shelf".

  • @Dklinge
    @Dklinge Рік тому +1

    Beautiful, well done, eye catcher. Appreciate you. 👍

  • @annblakeway7691
    @annblakeway7691 2 роки тому +3

    All the below comments say what I'm thinking. Wow! Impressive work, and a very patient job for a new project 👏

  • @Famo59
    @Famo59 2 роки тому +1

    Awesome job.
    Thanks for sharing this.
    Cheers Famo59 👍🍻⛏🤓

  • @alan1340
    @alan1340 2 роки тому +1

    Absolutely beautiful, an oustanding result. I can see gold becoming your fav working material.

  • @scott5349
    @scott5349 2 роки тому +6

    Good to see you working with gold Phil , no doubt you'll knock it out the park .
    Best wishes my friend .

  • @olegpetelevitch4443
    @olegpetelevitch4443 Рік тому +1

    Thank you ! Your info is very good as a 3rd generation jeweler of 38yrs ! always like to see other ways or pick up info !

    • @theopalmills
      @theopalmills  Рік тому +1

      Thanks Oleg, it’s all one great big learning curve, gotta love UA-cam, so many jewellery making videos. 🤪👍

  • @michelleroberts3299
    @michelleroberts3299 2 роки тому +8

    Looks stunning, the gold is perfect for that stone. Awesome job.

  • @shawnstatzer95
    @shawnstatzer95 3 місяці тому +1

    That is amazing. I hope to be making some for the Australian black opals that I bought to resell. Thanks.

  • @joekalmar1085
    @joekalmar1085 2 роки тому +1

    good job phil, gotta love full directional stones

  • @Pasci
    @Pasci 2 роки тому +1

    Nice Job, Mate... I learn a lot from your work. Thx for sharing your knowledge with us and for letting us participate in your growth.... Big praise and keep up the good work💪

  • @fishwithandy
    @fishwithandy 2 роки тому +3

    Hi Phil , wow That looks Fantastic , great video

  • @firstlast-mp1dc
    @firstlast-mp1dc 2 роки тому +1

    Looks beautiful. Thanks for showing us the gold shavings in the jar, I hope they eventually add up.

  • @Honeyhound
    @Honeyhound Рік тому +1

    Impressive for sure and beautiful

  • @hudmumper
    @hudmumper 2 роки тому +1

    Aaaaand BOOM! The adventure begins. 😊. Glad to see you bit the bullet as I appreciate it must have been a little nerve wracking. 😆 And I'm also glad to hear you say you were impressed. To be honest, I am mighty impressed. The doublet is very nice, but putting it into gold ... just wow! It really looks stunning as others have noted. 👌 . 2K subs is pretty impressive too. 😊👏 Nice work all round and very enjoyable video.

  • @sweetcheeks3592
    @sweetcheeks3592 2 роки тому +3

    Very very nice!

  • @juliehaffenden6254
    @juliehaffenden6254 3 місяці тому

    Just discovered you! Beautiful opal in a beautiful setting. Truly inspirational. Thanks.

  • @MrDutchman100
    @MrDutchman100 Рік тому +1

    That is a Rocken pendent very nice done. Maybe I do one. Cheers

  • @samkellam6051
    @samkellam6051 2 роки тому +3

    Well done so beautiful!!

  • @1catfishuntermiller753
    @1catfishuntermiller753 2 роки тому +2

    Hiya Phil, beautifully done.

  • @kaynefryday6637
    @kaynefryday6637 2 роки тому +2

    Well done Phill that is amazing , looks stunning

  • @jasonbrown5263
    @jasonbrown5263 2 роки тому +4

    thanks for the tips ive just started working with gold, the pendant looks awesome 👌

  • @scarlettardis2018
    @scarlettardis2018 2 роки тому +4

    Well done on ya first gold piece Phil. Good job mate, looks beautiful!

  • @grantivers9091
    @grantivers9091 2 роки тому +1

    Keep up the good work buddy...OPAL MILLS ROCKS

  • @mikefriend1514
    @mikefriend1514 Рік тому

    Great job! Thickness of the gold setting so important as a frame for the opal.

  • @redeyestones3738
    @redeyestones3738 2 роки тому +4

    Wow, that pendant came out a real stunner! Happy for you. The finish on the gold is superb.

  • @jonmaegdlin4278
    @jonmaegdlin4278 8 місяців тому +1

    Silver wicks heat away from the torch. Gold does the exact opposite by holding it where the flame is. Adding oxygen to the flame concentrates the heat in a tiny cone. Gold doesn't need the whole piece heated up, reducing the chance of melting it into a bubble. Very good job at heat control.

    • @theopalmills
      @theopalmills  8 місяців тому

      G’day mate, thanks for the info, I didn’t know about the heat, I treated it like silver. You’ve just made things a lot simpler, so many times I thought it was going to melt the bezel, or the loops on bails. 🤪👍

  • @annakeye
    @annakeye 2 роки тому +3

    Here I was thinking that gold wasn't going to work with the colours of the stone and here we are. It's a stunner. Good work, Phil. Colour me impressed.

  • @tonyrandall7161
    @tonyrandall7161 2 роки тому +2

    Hi Phil. Nice job & well done. Hope the wife gets the first of many. I'm off to mooka on sunday for a catch up with my brudda Greg. Keep up the good work 😎

    • @theopalmills
      @theopalmills  2 роки тому

      G’day Tony, I’m about a week behind you, hope to be there next weekend, have a great trip. 🤪👍

  • @pkgoldopalhunting
    @pkgoldopalhunting 2 роки тому +3

    looks great mate love it and great colour stone suites gold keep it up

  • @Opal-Joerg
    @Opal-Joerg 2 роки тому +2

    Well done - luv it. Great skills!!!

  • @darrenbayre162
    @darrenbayre162 2 роки тому +2

    Awsome job Phil looks great 👍

  • @susannesamuelsson2930
    @susannesamuelsson2930 2 роки тому +4

    A very beautiful opal and gold pendant...you are amazing Phil! All things we do for the first time are scary and gold is expensive but it's a good idea that you pretended that gold was silver then. You are as good goldsmith as a silversmith and you did it! Big warm hugs from me and my cat Trollet who was mesmerized by the speedy parts of the video! 👋😊👍💎😉👍😍

  • @sandysimon7313
    @sandysimon7313 2 роки тому +1

    Beautiful!❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

  • @jeffholmes1362
    @jeffholmes1362 2 роки тому +5

    Firstly, congrats Phil on 2k subs, well deserved. What a beautiful job and a lovely stone, the initial outlay cost would be scary, but that result, stunning. Really enjoyed watching you make this.

  • @kimbuckley1472
    @kimbuckley1472 2 роки тому +1

    Love it well done with your 1st 👌😍

  • @jakemikolajczyk9729
    @jakemikolajczyk9729 2 роки тому +3

    Love it

  • @thesilverco
    @thesilverco 2 роки тому +1

    Beautiful!

  • @Nobbybuttons
    @Nobbybuttons 2 роки тому +2

    nice work, very lively stone...cheers

  • @neilhamill318
    @neilhamill318 2 роки тому +1

    You'd have to been very pleased being the first or the 50th time. I'm sure the buyer would have been as well.

  • @surajitsaikia4139
    @surajitsaikia4139 2 роки тому +2

    Congrats mate, ur channel is growing fast and hope that all ur dreams will come true.

    • @theopalmills
      @theopalmills  2 роки тому +1

      Thanks Surajit, I hope you and your family are well, “Cheers” to “free trade” 🤪👍

  • @CooberPedyOpal09
    @CooberPedyOpal09 2 роки тому +1

    Good job on 2k subscribers Phil, we all love the videos and that looks great with the gold and I can’t wait to see next video.

    • @theopalmills
      @theopalmills  2 роки тому +1

      Thanks Caleb, not sure if you got my email, but let me know if I can help. 🤪👍

    • @CooberPedyOpal09
      @CooberPedyOpal09 2 роки тому +1

      Hi I got the email and I have had a talk to my parents but I still have not decided but I have talked to a few opal cutters about it and I am still considering thanks a lot Caleb.

  • @stevenpolack4444
    @stevenpolack4444 2 роки тому +1

    Nice first piece of gold bud👍🤘 Congrats on 2k subs. Best of luck ✌

  • @edshiner9863
    @edshiner9863 2 роки тому +1

    So, now you can add goldsmith to the list of your accomplishments.
    A great achievement, though not close to the achievement of sharing happiness with others , that you do with every video that you release.
    Thanks Phil, you inspire many of us, to take an extra step that we may not of otherwise taken,.
    May you, and all those that you love, be healthy and happy.

    • @theopalmills
      @theopalmills  2 роки тому

      Thanks Ed, it’s definitely a “one hand washes the other” with respect to sharing happiness, the feedback has been genuinely encouraging . Cheers. 🤪👍

  • @superstretch83
    @superstretch83 4 місяці тому +1

    Didn't show bezel setting . The only reason I watched. Lol

  • @prospectvic
    @prospectvic 2 роки тому +1

    Bloody nice mate, the gold does really compliment the opal alot mote I reckon buddy

  • @pijnto
    @pijnto 2 роки тому

    Came out well may I suggest you burnish the inside edge of the bezel it will make a remarkable difference

  • @sierrahjmartinez6703
    @sierrahjmartinez6703 2 роки тому +4

    its great to see a gold setting for opal for once. I know silver is cheaper but you can't beat gold. it just elevates opal. I actually got my first solid Australian opal necklace and earrings in 14k yellow gold from Costco of all places! its thats hard to find gold and opal...plus diamonds. 18k! thats some pricey material and looks very hard to bend. its so pretty though 😍

    • @theopalmills
      @theopalmills  2 роки тому +1

      G’day Sierrah, Costco? Who’d have thunk? I will definitely be working with gold again, I know it’s more expensive, but, if I start off with light settings for the smaller stones, the gold can go a long way. The gold did seem a harder metal, but i was being gentle trying to reduce unwanted makers marks for less cleanup after. 🤪👍

    • @scarlettardis2018
      @scarlettardis2018 2 роки тому +1

      I spotted a $320000 diamond ring when I walked into Sydney's Costco. Needless to say I was surprised to find a ring in Costco as I was making assumptions about what they stock. I've seen all sorts of stuff in Costco now...even seen a Mahogany and Gold handled coffin there once....weird place that Costco...

  • @scarlettardis2018
    @scarlettardis2018 2 роки тому +2

    And good job on the subs

  • @e.j.s.familyblog781
    @e.j.s.familyblog781 2 роки тому +2

    Wow

  • @scottpeters5624
    @scottpeters5624 2 роки тому +1

    2k subs,, sweeeeeet. And deserved,
    Really nice metal work there .
    Stunning outcome.
    Do you rinse items in fresh water after pickling.,,
    Did you find gold much softer than silver to work?

    • @theopalmills
      @theopalmills  2 роки тому

      G’day Scott, thanks, yes I neutralise in bicarb soda as I have it on hand for matrix treatment , then fresh water. I found the gold to be roughly the same but more durable as far as leaving tool marks, much better behaved than silver. 🤪👍

  • @matthewhayler601
    @matthewhayler601 Рік тому +1

    Great job PHil. Beautiful doublet but I wondered y not a solid. Being a higher price.

    • @theopalmills
      @theopalmills  Рік тому

      G’day Matthew, this was the first time I have worked gold, the doublet I made for a client from bits left over from the parcel I cut/carved for them, they requested this stone set in gold. I think we were both wondering if I could do it. 🤪👍

    • @matthewhayler601
      @matthewhayler601 Рік тому +1

      @@theopalmills well you certainly did it. Excellent piece buddy.

  • @CockatoobirdmanBill
    @CockatoobirdmanBill 2 роки тому +1

    I love the look of the gold but without the opal I don't think it will look that good (Lol ) Be well and be safe................

  • @Kerrsartisticgifts
    @Kerrsartisticgifts Рік тому +1

    Hey, could you melt the gold filings and trimmed pieces use them as solder?

    • @theopalmills
      @theopalmills  Рік тому +1

      No, gold solder is made from a mix of components with the most significant addition being the low melting point metals such as indium, cadmium, zinc and tin. 🤪👍

  • @phoenicianstones4783
    @phoenicianstones4783 2 роки тому +1

    Your very talented Phil. I wish I knew how to make jewelry like you. Quick question , how much is a gem de-Valued if it’s a doublet ?

    • @theopalmills
      @theopalmills  2 роки тому

      G’day, from my understanding of pricing doublets, you have to consider the price of an equivalent solid, and around 10% of the price of a solid. You may have started out with a white/grey based opal with a weak translucent colour bar, and once you’ve isolated the bar and added a blackened backing, it will now look like a black opal and that’s the classification for its valuation, not the white/grey it started out as but the black it now is. So it could either be because of the weak coloured stone it starts out as, or, the stone got too thin with colour still worth salvaging, that the decision to make a doublet was made. 🤪👍

    • @phoenicianstones4783
      @phoenicianstones4783 2 роки тому +1

      Thank you so much”. I have often wondered how much and now I know. It’s best to doublet when a stone is to thin and if a stone has good color but looks better with a black back ground. That’s why a true black opal is the highest priced opal?

    • @theopalmills
      @theopalmills  2 роки тому

      @@phoenicianstones4783 yes, black opal has the natural advantage of colour contrasting best with a dark background, so a doublet is made in this way to better enhance the colour. I’m not in agreement with this, but some countries are calling doublets made with opal top and bottom “natural opal” for marketing purposes as it can’t be called a solid and they don’t want to call it a doublet.

    • @phoenicianstones4783
      @phoenicianstones4783 2 роки тому

      I agree with you , they are not a natural stone if you have to enhance it in any other way. Period! But”””, they are beautiful make sure you know what your buying!

  • @nickielevan5628
    @nickielevan5628 5 місяців тому +1

    Kind of a rude question but im just starting and not sure how to charge

  • @redeyestones3738
    @redeyestones3738 2 роки тому +1

    Always wondered if you live next to a track, or if all your neighbors are petrol heads, or both. Always sounds like ppl are having vehicular fun outside of your studio.

  • @shawnali5935
    @shawnali5935 4 місяці тому +1

    How did you determine the gage of the gold bezel?

    • @theopalmills
      @theopalmills  4 місяці тому

      G’day mate, I didn’t consider actual measurements, it’s more by eye. I wanted a thick enough bezel for strength, so around 1 mm looked good. I haven’t got a background in jewellery making, I just do as I please based on what I think I know. 🤣👍

  • @kaynefryday6637
    @kaynefryday6637 2 роки тому +1

    Gday mate

  • @MrDutchman100
    @MrDutchman100 Рік тому +1

    Sounds like you live next to a race track in the video.

  • @nickielevan5628
    @nickielevan5628 5 місяців тому +1

    So how much would this sell for?

    • @theopalmills
      @theopalmills  5 місяців тому

      Selling can be subjective, wholesale, local or international retail, it depends on the market you have access to, anywhere from au$800-$1500 (rough pricing at the time this was made)

  • @joestanosheck1453
    @joestanosheck1453 Рік тому +1

    Are you selling this piece? I would like to buy it.

    • @theopalmills
      @theopalmills  Рік тому +1

      G’day Joe, sorry mate, this piece was made for someone. If you see an opal you like on this channel, as long as I own it, I’m willing to set it, you can email me if you’d like, I’ll put my email link in the video description, to assure you it’s mine as I’ve had someone try to pull a scam on viewers comments with a false link. 🤪👍

  • @menow.
    @menow. 4 місяці тому +1

    That is a ridiculously thick backing. Lot of useless added carat weight.
    PS: You didn't show pushing that bezel over the stone. Can't have been easy. 18K is pretty stiff.

    • @theopalmills
      @theopalmills  4 місяці тому

      G’day mate, the stone is a doublet, as with all opal the price is regardless of the weight, the stone is valued by many factors then divided by the carats to arrive at a carat price, hence excess backing reduces the carat price as excess weight is one of the factors considered when pricing. The backing on the doublet is to ensure stability, strength for setting, not just to blacken the background. I don’t have any certification in jewellery making, but it’s not rocket science, I’ve learned that I can use almost any thickness of bezel a long as I file the bezel thin where I want to push it over, I don’t just squish in the sides, I actually work the metal to fold it over, encapsulating the stone. I’ve never set a loose stone. I’ve shown my bezeling process in other videos, but filming it is hard as I block the camera a lot, you just see my knuckles. 🤪👍

    • @menow.
      @menow. 4 місяці тому

      @@theopalmills Thanks.