Large Rough Opal cuts 3 gems worth over $20k
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- Опубліковано 8 лют 2025
- Join Justin for one of the tensest gem cutting sessions he has done. Not knowing if the slice will work out is a high-pressure situation. With a lot of dollars at stake, Justin will painstakingly separate this uncut gem into 3 pieces with the slicer.
Are you on the edge of your seat yet? See what unfolds and enjoy!
Read more on the blog: blackopaldirec...
Papa opal: blackopaldirec...
Mama opal: blackopaldirec...
Baby opal has already sold.
Thanks for watching :)
Make sure to follow us on socials:
/ blackopaldirect
/ blackopaldirect
Come for the opals, stay for the wholesome dad energy 🤣 👍
I wish I had your experience, and equipment! I'm barely cutting my teeth on carving semi-precious. I see cheap parcels of opal on ebay, Etsy, etc... Should I assume it's ALL garage, or is there a chance some is usable?
A master at work... Nerves of steel, Justin, nerves of steel.....
@@brianmaney1973 I believe he did make mention of various different stones (Opal) from outside Australia and basically said "it's a massive risk", while you can get stones elsewhere worth money after cutting you have to be way more careful"
I think the video was called "I paid 5k for a stone" or something like that? Please don't quote me on this I'm working from memory and just trying to help.
@@monkeyslovewand Thanks!
lol true
You literally have given me a therapeutic moment with this one. Didn't know one thing about Opal until I found your video's! I'm intrigued in these gems and captivated by your work. Your way of capturing new audiences with your subtle tone and teaching of the art is simply amazing! Thank You!
Held my breath the whole time you cut that in half.we are thousands of miles apart and it still amazes me the physical feeling that I get from watching. Thank you what a lot of fun.
Yes, this is! I got So caught up, I'd spend days looking for nearby Opal Mines!
There’s drama, beauty,and education plus humor in your videos.the pacing is perfect. They are never boring but always somehow relaxing.
So very therapeutic watching you, however I’m surprised your fingers are intact after all those years. Beautiful work!
I love the fact that you didn't even thought about the idea that you could easily cut a finger with that blade. You have such a pair of ... confidence.
The production quality !!! Oh my goodness, seriously beautiful opals, and next level production. The talent runs deep at Black Opal Direct.
Thank you 🙏
Channel has quickly become my chill space. Thank you 👍
Happy to hear that!
Same dude
Mine too! 🟢🔵🟣🔴🟠🟡🔵🟢
@@blackopaldirect
Love the cutting .
YOUR GOING IN 👍
Totally the same!
With all the negative garbage on youtube, it's so nice to sit and watch someone doing something for the sake of thier art. Yes, I'm sure you make a nice living, but your working with passion. It's wonderful 😊
Thank you very much!
Incredible as always! I’ve learned more in opal cutting and characteristics from these videos than any class or club, truly a master of his craft Justin is and makes learning so much easier ☺️
Awesome to hear Josh
What makes your videos so amazing, is how you use music, camera angles and narration so well. It brings your videos to a whole different level than that of other UA-cam content providers in your field.
Thank you for noticing Brent we are trying to up our game. To look over older videos we did is kinda cringeworthy lol
Had to say this by itself. Absolutely beautiful stones. The color play of blue shades is spectacular and unique. Almost harlequin patches of blue. No other Gem compares to Opal.
Just watched again and I have to note that first piece would've made a beautiful tear drop cut.
Small one looks like a patch of a feather.
All of those diamond fanatics are welcome to my share. To me there is nothing more ethereal or intriguing than an opal. I only have a few strands of rondelles, but I could look at them for hours, watching the light play off of them, watching the colors shift and the fiery flashes of green, blue, gold, red and pink, and every shade in between. It's mesmerizing. I don't know how this came up in my feed, but I'm so happy it did. I'm glad there are people every bit as obsessed and captivated by this amazing stone as I am. :) Thank you for sharing the love.
When you were slicing....that's the most serious I've seen you so far! Lol
Good to know that even a master like yourself gets nervous, gives me hope.
Fantastic video too, great editing etc Mel... you're a star girl 👏🤩
That's a jaw dropping stone you cut there Justin, nicely done and thanks for taking us for the ride!
Welcome 🙏
Just sitting here having some coffee. Next to me is a bowl of rough with colour. I started buying opals and rough over 6 years ago. I have practised on potch now it's time to play with a little colour. Your videos inspired me to get into opals. They remind me of the spectacular colours you see when diving. Just incredible. Cheers Justin and team.
Ok opal addicts we need a video per day from the opal master!! I don’t think that’s selfish 😇 🤣!!!!
Agreed
Oh yes, I totally agree. I wish he'd post a video daily. Crossing my finger's it will happen one day. ♥
@@tjr247 cool profile sounds like you have a great job. 🙌🏼al.
Agreed! Maybe do a Live sometime!
Thank you for the likes and support on the comment !!
Wonderful result. I wish I was not a pensioner with Lupus, MCTD &CCF. Because having such a beautiful piece of nature and your workmanship would give me much joy
Absolutely crazy! Can't wait to see the video. I get so anxious setting in doublets i cant imagine cutting black opal
I’m surprised that you still have all of your fingers intact! Definitely a gripping, anxiety filled, big popcorn munching video. Your skill is incredible! What an education I received from watching this.
that violet stone you were able to save from the top is absolutely stunning 😍 💜💜
you did a good job expressing the tension you were feeling before the big cut... I had to remind myself that it wasn't my situation just so I could relax a bit while watching.
That turned out absolutely stunning!! I'm glad you got such pretty opals! Keep up the awesome work and remember to eat and drink !
Once again you had me on the edge of my seat even though the title indicated everything went well. :) I certainly understand how worried you were when cutting the top off that large stone, I have only a small 5" trim saw and even though I haven't graduated to cutting opal yet it is still scary cutting oversized stones for all the reasons you mentioned. You proved once again why you're one of the best opal cutters in the business. Thanks for the wonderful video and lesson Justin. :)
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you Chad
I don't know if anybody realizes this, but Justin is a wizard.... Stone forging and shaping is a craft that requires an immense power level.
expelliamus Haha Thank you
Yes I agree! He's amazing in my dazzled eyes. He deserves a cape!
He is amazing!!! Love his videos!
You remarked once that some people fall asleep to your videos and that you "don't quite know how to take that." Please be sure that this is actually a compliment... watching you do this is a hypnotic and fascinating as watching Bob Ross paint a stunning landscape in less than an hour... I often fell asleep to him as well... not from boredom... but because the talent and artistry that goes into your work soothes the soul... to see something rough and raw transform into beauty like that is remarkable... to also educate others on how to accomplish this feat themselves is inspiring... I look forward to seeing many more of your videos
Yeah I know 😊🙏
Looking forward to seeing you work this opal Justin. It looks like this one will be a winner.
We will find out soon 😊
Saved this to watch when all the hustle and bustle of the day was done. Well worth the wait. Each and everyone a beauty. You had me holding my breath in the slicer.☺
I wish I could do this, cost to get into grinding opals is too cost prohibitive so thank you for helping me live vicariously through your videos 😀
Absolutely stunning videos! The variety of patterns, colors and brightness make opal better than any other gemstone in my opinion. Thank you for all the beautiful videos!
Cant wait to see 😍 I love your videos Justin! Watched every single video and learned so much about opal and kindness ❤️
with the purple/lavender color that is one of the most beautiful stones I've seen on this channel so far
When you sell these 3 stones, you should call them "The Pappa, Mamma & Baby Bear Opals" and have a link this video as part of the sell
You are soooo brave! AND so knowledgeable. Cutting into those stones must be super difficult! Thanks for showing us how you do it!
Another reminder set, keep them coming 👌
It’s fun to watch you Justin, when you have made the right decision &it’s working out . Good show, great opals.
They turned out amazing, congratulations Justin on 3 beautiful Opals.... 🤘🏼
Beautiful stones! Your knowledge prevailed. You make it look so easy. Thank you!
You would never think these 3 gems came from the same chunk of rock.... all so different but all equally beautiful!
If you zoomed in on a peacock feather, it would look like the little one! Absolutely amazing stones! Thank you! 👍🏻
Yes, I saw that pattern too!
And the faint beginnings of that same pattern up where it was cut off. Really cool. 😎
🦚🦚🦚🦚🦚🦚🦚🦚🦚🦚🦚
Really enjoy watching. I started my interest in opals when watching Opal Miners series on tv. Man o man watching you cut through this beaut stone had me biting my nails and holding my breath!! Great job! You’re a talented, credible and experienced person and I’ve learned a lot.
This is gonna premiere on my birthday, can't wait
Happy birthday for then.
Have a happy birthday 🎂
Happy birthday for them
When’s your birthday
Happy bday.
Love watching you cut these magnificent stones into beautiful gems. You are so talented and have such a passion for your craft.
The “mother bear” one looked the nicest to me lol thought that would be worth the most per carat 🤔😂
I agree! Mother bear is perfection! So glad he saved her!
@@brendaalspach4538 damn right lol 👌
The color was better but the pattern, not so much. But I also thought the $/ct would be a bit higher.
I too prefer this one over the larger stone. Did anyone else notice a small looked like a sand inclusion in the top of the bigger gem? Maybe it was just the camera, as I know Justin is all about perfection!
@@lorenrobertson8039 Yeah I seen it too, I thought it looked like an air bubble 🤔
Wow! You do have nerves of steel cutting that piece and your fingers so close to the blade! This I'd like the 2nd video I've watched and am hooked! I love all stones and learning about them. I am usually a crime and cold case video watcher, but this is a wonderful change of pace. Thank you for sharing your teaching! Bless you sir.
Thank you
Now I can take that breath I was holding in. Phew....We hit the jackpot!
Really awesome use of music to get me to feel the anxiety you face in some of these uncertain situations!
That lavender 💜 middle stone was the best stone in my opinion. I think you should call that 500 pet carat and the larger 300 per carat. But just my opinion. The lavender in that stone is just as exciting to me as the fire red.
Agreed! I thought it would be the most valuable per carat but what do I know 😅
Yes a lot of people say that
@@IamBATMAN2024 ^^^
As always, an absolute pleasure to watch a master at work. Thanks for sharing what you do mate.😊👍✌
You’ve got a lot more nerve than me putting your fingers that close to the blade and the grinding wheel.
aw so u watch the hand vs sawtable videos to
Those blades for cutting stone won't cut you unless you get pinched somehow. I have run my fingers on the edge of a tile saw while it's running and nothing will happen. As long as it's wet.
I know everyone has the own preferences... color a huge part of it. But these in my own opinion are some of the most beautiful stones of all I have seen you cut. I guess I am stuck on the blue... but the blue and then purple... oh wow! I live in Europe in Czech working right now with Ukrainian refugees... but would so love to be able to afford to buy one of those. Probably already sold but it is just a blessing to marvel and at least I can look at them any time on your website... thanks so much...
There has to be some way to make a jig to hold that stone to the blade for you, it'd be more steady/consistent, and it wouldn't put all your fingers right up next to the blade, that was just hard to watch D:
Safety first my friend!
This is the way how it should be done, he done well
Make sure if you try to push hard toward the blade to cut the stone quicker,, blad will catch you one day for sure
The best way is the hold well the stone in your hands ( good grip ) and let the weight of your forearms do the job and keep slowly turning the stone 👍
not as dangerous as it looks. looks like the same type of saw like a ceramic tile saw. very hard to get injured on that type of saw. finger would save to get wedged in there good with pressure to cut it. if your finger grazes it wont do damage because it cant catch the finger and pull the blade into the cut the way toothed blades (such as wood cutting blades) do.
Congratulations Justin on this big winner for you. The gems are magnificent!. Loved watching the start to finish of these gems. Well done Black Opal Direct, great video.
Thank you top cat
Hello ! Martine 🇨🇵 France.
Beautiful 👍 l love .
I stopped breathing when you were cutting that stone. I don't think I have ever seen you so nervous. Gorgeous stones. It is amazing that the middle size stone is darker blue compared to the other two. Fantastic! Congratulations!
😊 thank you
Great soundtrack at the tense cutting parts! Love it. Beautiful stones, awesome slicing.
Hiya Justin,
Great video; thank you. You had it bang to right when you said, "It comes alive!" They are all alive and twinkling with their very own iridescence!!! You bring them out of hiding in a spectacular fashion; thank you for all you bring us.
Stay safe, Steve...
Felt the tension on this one. Wow worked out great. Your instincts were right. Awesome.
I love seeing these gems come to life. thank you Justin and family, always a joy to watch.
Thank you. I'm moved by the progression of the cuts and the decisions you make, but the stones themselves are stunning. Spiritual almost. Thanks again.
Each one of them just look beautiful! So glad you did the slice :D
Now I know nothing about opal but to me following your channel for a few months now I saw extreme bravery and mastery, thank you for sharing and I’m happy it really paid off Loving the new video angles and editing. Can’t wait for the next video.
I couldn't breathe and I'm only watching on the edge of me seat!! How beautiful. I thought it would be worth way more. Those where a beautiful color!
Yippi! Glad they all came out. They were beautiful stones. Be safe and stay healthy 😷⚒
That purple and blue one from the top is amazing.
Some of the shots on this are actually incredible. Well done!
I would agree its a form of meditation, I have a nice big mug of tea at the ready, plenty of good tunes and sitting in the sun. What more could you ask for, and a chance of finishing the day with one of the most beautiful gems you can find. Bliss.
I love how these stones turned out...beautiful
You don’t come across rough like that very often. I’m happy just to have watched you cut something that big into such beautiful stones.
Justin , sir , thank you for sharing this with me ! I like the Opals but really love the small Opal ! I wish that I could afford it ! Thank you again for sharing this with me ! Take care , stay safe and healthy with whatever you and your crew maybe doing next ! Doing well here in .
You are welcome Steve
Great video Justin. One of your best yet. You make us all happy.
Glad you enjoyed it
Great result and beautiful stones. It's weird but since I started cutting opal (thanks to you lol) starting with sandpaper, moving to dremel and finally getting a Gemmasta cabbing machine, I see your videos completely differently. Don't get me wrong, I still love them, perhaps even more but I guess I look at the processes and can relate to what you are doing, they're more personal somehow. Anyhoo thanks for starting me on this journey with your videos, a beginners pack and advice on equipment and tools. When I was buying my cabbing machine I referred to Black Opal Direct videos as my recommendation and I think they must hear that a bit because the guy said oh yes Justin lol. Thanks again for your fun and educational videos, they're great mate lol
Haha nice Jeni I am happy you have opal fever lol
The vid quality is EXCELLENT!! The editing is outstanding! Beautiful stones!!!!!🥰🥰👍🏼🙏🏼
You never cease to amaze me !... you have steady hands when you cut those stone!... oh my those colour !...,
To be honest i'm not gem guy.... i more appreciate crafting art.... but !, the way you cut those stone its an art it self.
that is way i only watch your video post.
the way you handling those precious stone make me like watching docter in operating room, made me nervous, wonder how the result, and ask my self how will i act if i were you....
Thank, for very beautiful video !.
I’m glad that you got to share it too! Beautiful play bloke! 🙏🏽
Mate your store is AMAZING! Love your work.
The Blue and Purples of the middle stone are soooo incredible and mesmerizing.
Heavenly color!!!!! You did it and I never knew there's blue opals. I know they're way more than I can afford. So thank you for sharing your Talent and Gems
You are so welcome!
I love the colours of the middle size opal. That beautiful purple and blue, wow!
A well deserved win. That initial cut must have been maddening. Every nuanced touch a prelude to disaster.
Well done Justin.
So glad you mentioned it being meditative, I’m finding the same the more I learn. I must say I did hold my breath when you sliced through the stone and yes I saw it grabbing. Glad it was you doing the slicing but then again I’ve not had a stone that large to slice … as yet 🎉😊🎉
Wonderful!
It doesn't matter how long your videos are I watch them from beginning to end including the commercials. I watch The cutting and polishing when you show us. Even though we may have seen it a thousand times I learn a little bit each time.
Wow, thank you!
Thank you Justin we love you and the BOD crew. This is addicting.
bravo, well done i was on pins and needles when you was cutting it in two. and to see them finished and polished, such beauty it has made my day and smiling from ear to ear. you tha man for sure. keep them coming the more I watch the more i learn.
Awesome! Thank you!
Love the new camera works.
Ah man, the colour and patterns on the large stone are incredible
Those are Three beautiful creations. You are by far the best at what you do on UA-cam.
Thank you! Cheers!
What an amazing stone. I absolutely love your beat by sand jar. I keep mine in a bag on my desk as a reminder of the gambles that we take in life don’t always pay off. I think I’ll with him to a jar for a better display.
You are 1000X more knowledgeable on Opals that I will ever be. With that being said. I would've started on the side with the thickest Potch. That way the first start of the cut is in material you know doesn't matter. From there, inspect and adjust around the stone to make it into two pieces and minimize losing such beautiful color.
Regardless I'm honored that you share your work with us and these amazing stones. IMO there is no other Gem on Earth that compares to Opals in amazing color and beauty. Nothing else gives you such rare colors in one stone.
Lastly and please excuse my ignorance. When you are shaping the edges of the stone. Would it be better to cut off the small parts with great color for small stones that could be used in rings, necklaces, etc.? Maybe my perspective from the video is misjudging the size. To me it seems like you are grinding off edges that could be cut for small stones.
Just wanted to thank you for making me spend money....lol.....thanks to you and your videos I now have a brand new cabbing machine and have purchased 2 parcels of Lightning Ridge black/dark opal and one 45ct Coober Pedy stone. Love your channel. Can't wait to get started down this path of making ugly rocks into beautiful gems.
woohoo!!
What gorgeous gems, I was on the edge of my seat when you were cutting, how stressful!
The opals are beyond beautiful! But the proximity of the grinding wheels terrifies the life out of me! Can anyone explain how you arrive at such craftsmanship without losing parts of digits as you learn??
I really do enjoy the drama of your videos! Not to mention the beauty you reveal.
Justin, Justin, Justin..........Whew!!!! I stopped breathing until you had the stone properly cut into two pieces !!! Wow!!! What beautiful stones !!!
I really enjoy seeing how you uncover the beauty of opals.
Beautiful stones my fav is the 15 carrot one. I like the purple flashes. So glad you made the choice not to grind it away! Love your video
Wow Justin, what a day. Two great stones. Well done.
Those are super gorgeous stones. Personally, not that I’m an opal or even gem expert, I expected much higher values for the two large stones. Like double. I know they don’t have some of the rarer patterns that are desirable but their intensity and depth are phenomenal. Of them all, I believe the purple-top gem is the prettiest-that purple gets me big lol but the larger bottom gem has some gorgeous features as well-that large green acute triangular portion gives the appearance of greater depth in the piece, almost as if it were a lake.
And value...couldn’t even justify the small stone right now lol but I still had much higher expectations of them all the same 😝
Justin, I am in the USA and the way you cut that stone scared me to death. No guild bars, no push sticks. Scary! Actually, how many times have you cut your fingers on the cutting wheel, or even lost skin on the polishing wheel? [PS: I am not a jem cutter so what you are doing maybe completely correct, but it seems dangerous to me. I do not want you to lose a finger!.) Sincerely, Keith
I have loved opals all my life but I still find it crazy that I enjoy this channel so much! Great work guys production value awesome as ever.
You are welcome and thanks for the kind words
It's amazing to me just how similar cutting Opal is to spoon carving. You have to make decisions based on what's on the outside of the wood. So many times I've had a beautiful spoon shaping up but run into a hidden bark pocket, crack or knot that there was no indication of at first. I've had to throw away beautiful pieces of wood because there was a defect that I just couldn't work around. Or sometimes you just slip up and cut too deep or where you didn't mean to, kind of like when you were slicing that stone in half and were a little off.