People sell “water opal,” but there are many types of opal called that. The Ethiopian opal that fits is Shewa Province opal, which may be very beautiful, but when it dries, it usually cracks, sometimes a lot. I am working on a new “easy” method to stabilize this type of opal, but for now, you can use the method in this video (the description explains it all): ua-cam.com/video/E4HcLJgBolc/v-deo.html
Hey General Pulitzer. I hope all is well. From Patrick McGovern a person you've taught so much too about many things. I will be starting my Flint knapping episode of my life as I turn 40 in October & by the time im 41 I want succeed in making my first arrow head. 😊. P.S. people... Don't be a flintknaper. 😂 Old-school Pulitzer watcher's will get this joke. 😅 Take care and thanks again Pulitzer. Your truly a pioneer of YT teaching to people who love cool hobbies & information gatherer's.
Nice to hear from you, Patrick. Don’t intend to be a “FOG” knapper or a “big rock” knapper? Look up “FOG” (flake-over-grinding). Let me know if you need anything.
Back in the 1990s I purchased a Louisiana opal. It looked like what I now know as pin fire opal but with tan matrix. It is very light weight. I wore it to dinner that night and was pretty happy with it until I splashed water on it. The color turned tan, the color of the matrix. I thought that I had been ripped off by the jeweler in Aspen Colorado. I put it back in its box and deposited it in my purse. When I took it out the next morning the beautiful colors were back. I’ve tried going to the library to get info on Louisiana opal, and found nothing. Through the years I’ve shown it to many gem show opal sellers, a showed them what happens if you get water on it. They all were surprised and even more so when I told them that overnight the pin fire would be back. I goggled it on often. The only thing I found was that someone had found Louisiana opal and knew very little about it. All they said was that it was a water opal and to see the fire was to keep it in water. This is the opposite experience than I have had. Oh great Papa Doc, If you have any wisdom about them that you could or would share with me I would appreciate it. Thanks for sharing your experiences with opals, love your channel. Also love you kitties.
Riley Gunn told me how to animate Sheila. It’s somewhat fun, but you have to know how to program the API to get it perfect. I could not get her to say “g’day” properly.
I enjoy your videos, and I love the kitty cats, but most of all your workmanship and the way you cut your opals every time you have a giveaway I try to put my name in, but sometimes I don’t always get in here early enough, but keep up the good work, my friend and one day my name will get picked for one of your beautiful pieces❤❤❤
I love your Opal arrowheads! I have made quite a few out of obsidian and would like to try my hand at an opal one, but find myself a bit gun shy. I have a nice piece of Australian blue opal I was considering. Was curious if you have ever made an arrowhead out of the blue opal and if all solid opal/potch knapps the same. Thanks for the channel, always a pleasure to watch.
A question huh? I think my primary question is "when am I going to get lucky and win one of these beauties??"!!! LOL absolutely everything you showed on the video would have a happy home with us. An arrowhead would become a stunning necklace for me!! Thank you Colonel! As always it's fun to watch your videos, especially your Paw Paw Squad!!! Congratulations on the new title Paw Paw Doc!!! That came from our eldest granddaughter for my hubby. His name is Roman, Papa Ro is what the grandkids call him. Niyah made kindergarten art for him and wrote Paw Paw Row! 🥰🥰🥰.
Opal education and cat videos. I don’t think I could ever get sick of watching Pulitzer opal videos. Two questions: 1. After all these years of working with opal, what is your absolute favourite and least favourite types of opal to work with? And 2. Ehhhhh….What’s up Doc? 😏
Ok, my question is “What happened to the other sock?” When the puppies are rolling around on the carpet, there is only one sock. Betcha didn’t see that one coming 😛😉
I can't believe I missed the video with Poppy! That is one of the flashiest opals I've ever seen! Congratulations, winners. With the Leopard opal, can you file down the spots of black on the wheel, or does it go all the way through.? As always im super impressed with the kitty videos 📹 😍
Well done papa Doc. That Boulder was awesome and as always I love an arrow head, thanks for sharing. What you favourite opal? Maybe we could have an episode from the vault.
OOh nice opal Sheila ❤ Looking good too for a plastic head. My Siamese cat Harkin will be twelve tomorrow. . Shame about the crack in the arrow head but it turned out nice. Nice to see so many different types of opal, including some really nice Honduran opal and a bit from the Czech Republic.
Love your videos mate, getting into opal polishing myself right now, are there any tips/tricks you wish you knew earlier? Maybe about how to use/care for your equipment, common beginner mistakes and stuff like that :)
Big Lou and the Shard are fantastic pieces. I love opal... had a few pieces inlaid with flakes before, but never anything of substance. Do you have a massive collection of flakes, bits and pieces at this point?
Sheila jump scares me every time. And what opal type would you say is your favourite to cut? I work with a dremel mainly so it has to be boulder opal but it it sure can be messy, iron ore everywhere
Stumbled across your channel, watched this current video, liked the information. The colors of the opal intrigue me. I Liked the mexican tiger opal, the way the colors show over the stone it self. Thanks for the education on opal.
Love all the different type of interesting facts here. Best opal channel out there by far. Thank you for it. Fascinated with Brazilian opal . I need to get some. Will check out the link for it. Here is the question how many different types of Brazilian opal are there?
I found an opal I can't identify. It looks like treated Andamooka but I hit it on the wheel and it stayed black. Is there another opal like the leopard, andamooka, or Louisiana with a black host rock?
BIG congrats to the winners and good luck to all that enters this week!!!! They are all very beautiful and you did an amazing job cutting and shaping them!!!!!! Hope this is a good enough question!! How long did it take for you to become a master opal cutter and what's the best way to start out cutting opal??? I'm to old and poor to start but the question might help out someone younger with a little change in their pocket
Beautiful pieces again😁 Dr Zhivago has to be the winner of the show 💥is it possible to use wella opal in jewelry ? congratulations to all the winners 🥳
Question: what are the odds of winning one of those beautiful opals? This was my first video of your and it was very unique and entertaining. Great job
Right then Colonel Papa Doc. I'm looking forward to the next installment of Opal types I've never heard of. But seriously, when am I going to be honored with a giveaway? It's taking the mick now. Cracking video by the way!
Is the hardness of the leopard opal, greater than other matrix type of opal? Roy sent a sample in a bag of goodies that he put together for me and I'd really like to start on that piece for some reason. I just like the specks. Reminds me of stars on a dark night, I guess. Congratulations to the winners of the give away. 😊. You must have incredible strength in your hands to do those arrow heads, with the skill to go along with it! I've fallen in love with those objects. I enjoy watching the flaking process and seeing a beautiful blade emerging. 😊. Thank you for the video.
Q: "Don, are you purposefully trying to distract me from watching you cut opal?" Also: "why did you put Riley Gunn's face up when referencing Papa Doc?" Enquiring minds want to know. Thanks, Sir, for the great content and some knowledge as well as humor. Thanks, and wonderful results. Gratz to all the winners and good luck this time!
Here is my question about opal. Do you believe that opal has benifits to the wearer? Like increased confidence, phisical healing and so on? Alot of of people do and there is a lot of information on the subject, just wondering what an opal wizard such as yourself has to say about it.
I've never heard of or seen leopard opal before. It may not be as flashy as regular opal, but it's still gorgeous. What is your absolute favorite kind of opal to work with? Could have been Doc Opal :P lol
My LEAST favorite is Australian Boulder opal That ironstone - turns everything red-brown and will ruin clothes and is a mess to clean up. My personal favorite is Andamooka matrix opal, because you never know what you’ll reveal.
My Sister has a major precious stone collection but no opals. I got her two small Brazilian opals; she liked them but was not very impressed. What kind of Opal do you suggest I buy her next that would pique her interest more?
Another fantastic video as always! Brazilian opal is quite familiar here at An Atom of Earth! I have a 35-carat Brazilian opal set in an octopus design, complete with black opal eyes. P.S. If I don't win, I'll settle for some chips I kindly requested years ago. 😉
Thank you for another enjoyable and informative video. I was going to ask you about your little grand baby, my daughter came up with her own names for nearly all of her grandparents so I still wonder if yours will too (my son is still working on his names for everyone). I also completely understand why you thought radial symmetry must only originate from something living, I had assumed as much myself, fascinating to find out otherwise. My question; what is your favourite type of opal and is that the same as the opal you most enjoyed cutting and polishing?
👋 So my opal give-away question to you is a 2-parter: 1. what is your favorite single opal you've ever cut (and polished) or held in hand? 2. what is your favorite kind (or specie?) of opal in general and why? Mr. Zhivago is an astonishing looking opal. Also, what's "3 squares and a cot" because I Googled it and came up with no meaningful results. But I'm assuming it means 3 meals and a bed?
Hi Don! Wyvanna here 🙂 did you say that scratch on your hand came from your feline friend? I have a feral cat and she forgets she’s not feral anymore and gets me good. Lol 😂 🐈⬛ As always your videos are entertaining and you always have some gorgeous stones. Enjoy your weekend! 🙂
Sookie did it. She was jumping onto my lap and was getting an extra boost with her back claws, which were supposed to be on my leg, which would’ve been fine because I had jeans on, unfortunately, my hand was on my leg. Thanks for the nice note, Wyvanna!
Hi Doc, I hope I may call you that. This site and your tutorial on Opal is amazing, and very informative. My question is, how do you come up with the names, and back stories of the stones? Also how do you decide which stone goes to which new home? I'm so happy I found your channel, and I look forward to learning so much more!!! :) Thank you for your amazing gift of knowledge? One more question, are you a GG.?I was studying to become one, but alas life got in the way, so did money lol. Have a divine week, and tell Shelia hello, and give the furbabies kisses from Utah.
I make up the names and the stories on the fly. Winners are chosen by an app. I am not a gg, but I paid for my nephew to become one. Now he’s in Bangkok and not exactly getting rich .. but he’s having fun! Sorry that you got derailed. In Carlsbad?
Ask a question? I am still learning about opal and still don’t know enough to ask an intelligent question! But I do know how to give a gem an excellent home!
Do you keep and use the little shards that come off?? I make opal and resin jewelry, and keep all the "dust" etc. Mixing it with resin with a black background makes it look like the galaxy! The black makes the color pop! Also...thank you for the education! I love your videos! (And the kitties).
Chert and Chalcedony were frequently heat treated prior to being retouched into projectile points. Have you tried heat treating opal under similar conditions, and if so, does it improve the fracture characteristics of opal in a similar way to that of other heat altered cryptocrystalline silicates?
I have heat-treated thousands of pounds of chert (and other chalcedonies - agates, jaspers). I have a programmable kiln, but I have not done that, because opal is beyond cryptocrystalline - it’s a mineraloid, like obsidian, which is volcanic glass. Heat treating is done primarily to make the rock easier to flake, but nothing flakes better than glass. So heat treating it is not necessary. Great Question, though!
How do you store opals in water? Do you have to use distilled or is tap water fine? How do you dry them after? Can all opals go in water? Can I wear opal jewelry if I shower or go swimming?
I store all Australian opal in water. Tap water is fine. Ethiopian opals should never go into water. You can wear Australian opal jewelry in the shower. You should never wear your clothes in the shower, though
Thanks for entertaining and educating at the same time. Curious, if you had to choose one type of opal for the remainder of your cutting days that gives you the most personal satisfaction (not financial) what would it be?
Wow Iron ore has to be a pretty tough material ! How long did it take to remove the excess? By the way, can you compare toughness of different opal bases please? As always thanks for the fun you provide and if you have very colourfull opal chips i'm looking for some for a wedding ring! See ya!
Presumably, but I cannot find anything online or otherwise about Brazilian boulder opal. Nothing. The best I could find was that iron was being mined somewhere at least a little close to where some opal is located
Congrats to Stone Hand Steve and TT Stern for their incredible stones! Do you use a program to randomize the winning comments? I’ve been following your channel for years now and it’s always so exciting to see what stones you give away😊 still hoping the rng entities bless me one of these days😉 Your content is always a breath of fresh air! That you for your dedication to educating us all on this special gemstone! Question: how did you get into opal cutting and collecting? And what are some of your all time favorite stones in your collection?
Hi. I have some Ethiopian opal cabs that still have sand on.the surface. I don't have any lapidary equipment but I have a rotary tool. Should.I try to remove the sand with that, or wet rub them with regular sandpaper?
When ch opal tends to be the most frustrating to work with so far I've seen many with sandpiyying and sand bars but you've shown few that just argue from start to finish
Do you enjoy making the opal arrow points. You do a fantastic job at them. they are beautiful. Luckily for you the grandkids make up their own name for you. I was just told I'm going to be a grandaddy on June 1st so exciting.
Hey there! My question is : what type of opal do you find the most difficult to work with and why? all opal is beautiful in its own right, but there's got to be an ugly stepsister in there somewhere lol
Out of curiosity, what do you do with all the little chips of opal that are left from making the opal arrowheads? I just keep thinking how good they would look filling up a little succulent terrarium with them or something! They're so pretty! I might have an obsession with sparkly things. lol
Cats AND opals. Perfection. The best channel ever. I've learned so much about opals thanks to you. Thank you so much. I truly appreciate all the education and no homework. Leopard opal looks pretty, but I'm so salty about the name "leopard opal". Why not call it jaguar opal? Jaguars also have spots and they actually live in Mexico.
Wow the handful of opals you showed in the beginning were gorgeous! I’ve gotta ask though, is Shelia Australian? I thought I was detecting a down under accent. 😂
"I hope you liked this video & if not how stupid were you to watch this long" ..... I came for opals but got pearls of wisdom.
Your craftsmanship on that arrowhead is spectacular!😍
It’s not that difficult, really.
People sell “water opal,” but there are many types of opal called that. The Ethiopian opal that fits is Shewa Province opal, which may be very beautiful, but when it dries, it usually cracks, sometimes a lot. I am working on a new “easy” method to stabilize this type of opal, but for now, you can use the method in this video (the description explains it all): ua-cam.com/video/E4HcLJgBolc/v-deo.html
I thank you now not later. One of the best Opal Channels. Pulitzer and Black Opal Direct with Justin!!!!!!! 🎉❤💙💚💛
Please tell me how you hold on to opal for so long? Papa Doc?
I just put it away and forgot about it. I don’t really forget about it - I know about what and where opals are. Lots in safety deposit box.
Can you use or me car wax on opal? I was thinking something like the ceramic coding "H10".
I think there's Only Two opal channels 😁
I want to buy opal rough
If you can. Please give me number opal saller company
Hey General Pulitzer. I hope all is well. From Patrick McGovern a person you've taught so much too about many things. I will be starting my
Flint knapping episode of my life as I turn 40 in October & by the time im 41 I want succeed in making my first arrow head. 😊. P.S. people... Don't be a flintknaper. 😂 Old-school Pulitzer watcher's will get this joke. 😅 Take care and thanks again Pulitzer. Your truly a pioneer of YT teaching to people who love cool hobbies & information gatherer's.
Nice to hear from you, Patrick. Don’t intend to be a “FOG” knapper or a “big rock” knapper? Look up “FOG” (flake-over-grinding). Let me know if you need anything.
Really
Back in the 1990s I purchased a Louisiana opal. It looked like what I now know as pin fire opal but with tan matrix. It is very light weight. I wore it to dinner that night and was pretty happy with it until I splashed water on it. The color turned tan, the color of the matrix. I thought that I had been ripped off by the jeweler in Aspen Colorado. I put it back in its box and deposited it in my purse. When I took it out the next morning the beautiful colors were back. I’ve tried going to the library to get info on Louisiana opal, and found nothing. Through the years I’ve shown it to many gem show opal sellers, a showed them what happens if you get water on it. They all were surprised and even more so when I told them that overnight the pin fire would be back. I goggled it on often. The only thing I found was that someone had found Louisiana opal and knew very little about it. All they said was that it was a water opal and to see the fire was to keep it in water. This is the opposite experience than I have had. Oh great Papa Doc, If you have any wisdom about them that you could or would share with me I would appreciate it. Thanks for sharing your experiences with opals, love your channel. Also love you kitties.
Love the fur babies
Thank you for my opal education Papa Doc. Love watching the antics of the ginger army, makes me miss my own ginger ninja 💜
Orange Tabbies are said to be the friendliest of cats.
You have gone so high tech, Doc - Sheila talks! I love your opal lessons. Bad Sookie!
Riley Gunn told me how to animate Sheila. It’s somewhat fun, but you have to know how to program the API to get it perfect. I could not get her to say “g’day” properly.
I enjoy your videos, and I love the kitty cats, but most of all your workmanship and the way you cut your opals every time you have a giveaway I try to put my name in, but sometimes I don’t always get in here early enough, but keep up the good work, my friend and one day my name will get picked for one of your beautiful pieces❤❤❤
Thank you very much, for the nice words, Grace
I love your Opal arrowheads! I have made quite a few out of obsidian and would like to try my hand at an opal one, but find myself a bit gun shy. I have a nice piece of Australian blue opal I was considering. Was curious if you have ever made an arrowhead out of the blue opal and if all solid opal/potch knapps the same. Thanks for the channel, always a pleasure to watch.
That Brazilian opal turned beautiful!! 🎉
I think so too, Royal.
A question huh? I think my primary question is "when am I going to get lucky and win one of these beauties??"!!! LOL absolutely everything you showed on the video would have a happy home with us. An arrowhead would become a stunning necklace for me!! Thank you Colonel! As always it's fun to watch your videos, especially your Paw Paw Squad!!!
Congratulations on the new title Paw Paw Doc!!! That came from our eldest granddaughter for my hubby. His name is Roman, Papa Ro is what the grandkids call him. Niyah made kindergarten art for him and wrote Paw Paw Row! 🥰🥰🥰.
lol. Nice story. Roman isn’t papa doc, though!
@@PulitzerOpal nope PawPaw Row!!! LOL. I figure since you both love cats, it's more suited for you to be PawPaw Doc.
The leopard opal is so amazing. I would love to see it in my house. So She get’s to meet my cats
Opal education and cat videos. I don’t think I could ever get sick of watching Pulitzer opal videos. Two questions:
1. After all these years of working with opal, what is your absolute favourite and least favourite types of opal to work with?
And 2. Ehhhhh….What’s up Doc? 😏
Will you ever make videos visiting opal mines? Maybe score some rough from coober pedy?
One day I’ll have the pleasure of winning one of these beautiful prices of art.. Opal is so amazingly beautiful ❤
Do you think if we grew synthetic opal inside holes of a host volcanic rock it would form more natural looking patterns in the play of color ?
Wow these opals are so beautiful!🔥🔥
Thank you! Cheers!
Ok, my question is “What happened to the other sock?” When the puppies are rolling around on the carpet, there is only one sock. Betcha didn’t see that one coming 😛😉
I can't believe I missed the video with Poppy! That is one of the flashiest opals I've ever seen! Congratulations, winners. With the Leopard opal, can you file down the spots of black on the wheel, or does it go all the way through.?
As always im super impressed with the kitty videos 📹 😍
Papa Doc. I love it. Have you ever done a video on how to make an arrowhead out of Opal?
Well done papa Doc. That Boulder was awesome and as always I love an arrow head, thanks for sharing. What you favourite opal? Maybe we could have an episode from the vault.
OOh nice opal Sheila ❤ Looking good too for a plastic head.
My Siamese cat Harkin will be twelve tomorrow. .
Shame about the crack in the arrow head but it turned out nice.
Nice to see so many different types of opal, including some really nice Honduran opal and a bit from the Czech Republic.
That leopard opal is so cool!😊
I think so too!
I wish I could think of a question… merely admiring your skills :-)
His videos do leave us at a loss for words, except things like "beautiful" "stunning" "oh I would love to adopt that" and "gorgeous Happy kitties" LOL
Thank you! 😃
On the first batch could you slice it the other direction to see the whole color bar?
Love your videos mate, getting into opal polishing myself right now, are there any tips/tricks you wish you knew earlier? Maybe about how to use/care for your equipment, common beginner mistakes and stuff like that :)
Hi, why don't you make longer videos, I wish they were longer I'd like to see more of the process and you also make me laugh a lot. And love the cats
Big Lou and the Shard are fantastic pieces. I love opal... had a few pieces inlaid with flakes before, but never anything of substance. Do you have a massive collection of flakes, bits and pieces at this point?
Sheila jump scares me every time.
And what opal type would you say is your favourite to cut? I work with a dremel mainly so it has to be boulder opal but it it sure can be messy, iron ore everywhere
Yaaaaahhhhhhhsssssssssssss love it when I see your videos!!! 🎉
I love the leopard opal. How old is the grandkid? What do the kitties think? Are 2 questions (uh, 3) too many? 😅
When you make an arrowhead, what do you do with all the little chips you cut off?
Stumbled across your channel, watched this current video, liked the information. The colors of the opal intrigue me. I Liked the mexican tiger opal, the way the colors show over the stone it self. Thanks for the education on opal.
Thanks for the nice comment jog!
Thatsso fascinating seeing the arrow head take shape like that
I wanted to start cutting opal I was wondering if you can recommend a dremel in which to start? Great channel
Love all the different type of interesting facts here. Best opal channel out there by far. Thank you for it. Fascinated with Brazilian opal . I need to get some. Will check out the link for it. Here is the question how many different types of Brazilian opal are there?
I found an opal I can't identify. It looks like treated Andamooka but I hit it on the wheel and it stayed black. Is there another opal like the leopard, andamooka, or Louisiana with a black host rock?
Wow mate. Leopard opal is certainly novel.. thanks for this edition. take care.
Thanks, Wayne! Leopard opal is certainly interesting. Color is subtle - definitely interesting.
BIG congrats to the winners and good luck to all that enters this week!!!!
They are all very beautiful and you did an amazing job cutting and shaping them!!!!!!
Hope this is a good enough question!!
How long did it take for you to become a master opal cutter and what's the best way to start out cutting opal??? I'm to old and poor to start but the question might help out someone younger with a little change in their pocket
Beautiful pieces again😁 Dr Zhivago has to be the winner of the show 💥is it possible to use wella opal in jewelry ? congratulations to all the winners 🥳
Was the Brazilian boulder opal easier, more difficult or about the same to work as Australian boulder opal? Thank you for sharing!
Question: what are the odds of winning one of those beautiful opals? This was my first video of your and it was very unique and entertaining. Great job
Right then Colonel Papa Doc. I'm looking forward to the next installment of Opal types I've never heard of. But seriously, when am I going to be honored with a giveaway? It's taking the mick now. Cracking video by the way!
I think that “taking the mick” needs mentioning in a video - what do you think?
@@PulitzerOpal wow. definitely
I have a question! Is there a reason I mostly see lots of round shapes when people polish opal? Why don't people cut facets into opal?
Is the hardness of the leopard opal, greater than other matrix type of opal? Roy sent a sample in a bag of goodies that he put together for me and I'd really like to start on that piece for some reason. I just like the specks. Reminds me of stars on a dark night, I guess. Congratulations to the winners of the give away. 😊. You must have incredible strength in your hands to do those arrow heads, with the skill to go along with it! I've fallen in love with those objects. I enjoy watching the flaking process and seeing a beautiful blade emerging. 😊. Thank you for the video.
Q: "Don, are you purposefully trying to distract me from watching you cut opal?" Also: "why did you put Riley Gunn's face up when referencing Papa Doc?"
Enquiring minds want to know.
Thanks, Sir, for the great content and some knowledge as well as humor. Thanks, and wonderful results. Gratz to all the winners and good luck this time!
Mr Zhivago 😍 what a beauty!
Colonel, how do you come up with their names? They always fit their personality!
Well i learned something new again today now i can take the rest of the day off. Thanks✌️😁
Glad to help!
Love learning about the leopard opal! Does it have soft spots or mixed hardness similar to the way Australian boulder opal can?
Thank you for another great video!
Such amazing work and knowledge. Thanks!
Ooooh let's see Mrs. Pulitzer's attempt at making a cabachon and you absolutely can't help or advise at any point 😂
Right?
How many types of opal are there and do opals come in different hardnesses or are they all the same hardness?
Wow I'm usually a black opal guy. But that leopard opal is amazing. I might have a new second opal.
Here is my question about opal. Do you believe that opal has benifits to the wearer? Like increased confidence, phisical healing and so on? Alot of of people do and there is a lot of information on the subject, just wondering what an opal wizard such as yourself has to say about it.
I've never heard of or seen leopard opal before. It may not be as flashy as regular opal, but it's still gorgeous. What is your absolute favorite kind of opal to work with? Could have been Doc Opal :P lol
My LEAST favorite is Australian Boulder opal That ironstone - turns everything red-brown and will ruin clothes and is a mess to clean up. My personal favorite is Andamooka matrix opal, because you never know what you’ll reveal.
That jaguar opal is purrrrfect. Is it litter trained?
My Sister has a major precious stone collection but no opals. I got her two small Brazilian opals; she liked them but was not very impressed. What kind of Opal do you suggest I buy her next that would pique her interest more?
Another fantastic video as always! Brazilian opal is quite familiar here at An Atom of Earth! I have a 35-carat Brazilian opal set in an octopus design, complete with black opal eyes. P.S. If I don't win, I'll settle for some chips I kindly requested years ago. 😉
Thank you for another enjoyable and informative video. I was going to ask you about your little grand baby, my daughter came up with her own names for nearly all of her grandparents so I still wonder if yours will too (my son is still working on his names for everyone). I also completely understand why you thought radial symmetry must only originate from something living, I had assumed as much myself, fascinating to find out otherwise. My question; what is your favourite type of opal and is that the same as the opal you most enjoyed cutting and polishing?
👋
So my opal give-away question to you is a 2-parter: 1. what is your favorite single opal you've ever cut (and polished) or held in hand? 2. what is your favorite kind (or specie?) of opal in general and why?
Mr. Zhivago is an astonishing looking opal.
Also, what's "3 squares and a cot" because I Googled it and came up with no meaningful results. But I'm assuming it means 3 meals and a bed?
Thanks for your work. What got you into Opal?
Bonus question: Where did Sheila got it latest haircut it looks neat😂
Hi Don! Wyvanna here 🙂 did you say that scratch on your hand came from your feline friend? I have a feral cat and she forgets she’s not feral anymore and gets me good. Lol 😂 🐈⬛ As always your videos are entertaining and you always have some gorgeous stones. Enjoy your weekend! 🙂
Sookie did it. She was jumping onto my lap and was getting an extra boost with her back claws, which were supposed to be on my leg, which would’ve been fine because I had jeans on, unfortunately, my hand was on my leg. Thanks for the nice note, Wyvanna!
Hi Doc, I hope I may call you that. This site and your tutorial on Opal is amazing, and very informative. My question is, how do you come up with the names, and back stories of the stones? Also how do you decide which stone goes to which new home? I'm so happy I found your channel, and I look forward to learning so much more!!! :) Thank you for your amazing gift of knowledge? One more question, are you a GG.?I was studying to become one, but alas life got in the way, so did money lol. Have a divine week, and tell Shelia hello, and give the furbabies kisses from Utah.
I make up the names and the stories on the fly. Winners are chosen by an app. I am not a gg, but I paid for my nephew to become one. Now he’s in Bangkok and not exactly getting rich .. but he’s having fun! Sorry that you got derailed. In Carlsbad?
Ask a question? I am still learning about opal and still don’t know enough to ask an intelligent question! But I do know how to give a gem an excellent home!
How many opal tools do you use/have ?
Do you keep and use the little shards that come off?? I make opal and resin jewelry, and keep all the "dust" etc. Mixing it with resin with a black background makes it look like the galaxy! The black makes the color pop!
Also...thank you for the education! I love your videos! (And the kitties).
Chert and Chalcedony were frequently heat treated prior to being retouched into projectile points. Have you tried heat treating opal under similar conditions, and if so, does it improve the fracture characteristics of opal in a similar way to that of other heat altered cryptocrystalline silicates?
I have heat-treated thousands of pounds of chert (and other chalcedonies - agates, jaspers). I have a programmable kiln, but I have not done that, because opal is beyond cryptocrystalline - it’s a mineraloid, like obsidian, which is volcanic glass. Heat treating is done primarily to make the rock easier to flake, but nothing flakes better than glass. So heat treating it is not necessary. Great Question, though!
Love this channel
How do you store opals in water? Do you have to use distilled or is tap water fine? How do you dry them after? Can all opals go in water? Can I wear opal jewelry if I shower or go swimming?
I store all Australian opal in water. Tap water is fine. Ethiopian opals should never go into water. You can wear Australian opal jewelry in the shower. You should never wear your clothes in the shower, though
Does all leopard opal come from that area? Love your channel and learning lots!!
Nice to see you love your videos ❤
Thanks for entertaining and educating at the same time. Curious, if you had to choose one type of opal for the remainder of your cutting days that gives you the most personal satisfaction (not financial) what would it be?
Wow Iron ore has to be a pretty tough material ! How long did it take to remove the excess? By the way, can you compare toughness of different opal bases please? As always thanks for the fun you provide and if you have very colourfull opal chips i'm looking for some for a wedding ring! See ya!
How do they cut opal very thin to make doublets or triplets?
Very cool! I haven't heard of either of those opal types. Is the brazilian boulder material found in same area as their crystal/white opal?
Presumably, but I cannot find anything online or otherwise about Brazilian boulder opal. Nothing. The best I could find was that iron was being mined somewhere at least a little close to where some opal is located
Another great video! My question is this, how did you learn to cut opal?
Congrats to Stone Hand Steve and TT Stern for their incredible stones! Do you use a program to randomize the winning comments? I’ve been following your channel for years now and it’s always so exciting to see what stones you give away😊 still hoping the rng entities bless me one of these days😉
Your content is always a breath of fresh air! That you for your dedication to educating us all on this special gemstone!
Question: how did you get into opal cutting and collecting? And what are some of your all time favorite stones in your collection?
Well, you said to ask a question... what is the air speed velocity of an unladen swallow?
the leopard opal was rly good looking
Great video! Have you ever been opal mining? If so, where at?
Hi. I have some Ethiopian opal cabs that still have sand on.the surface. I don't have any lapidary equipment but I have a rotary tool. Should.I try to remove the sand with that, or wet rub them with regular sandpaper?
When ch opal tends to be the most frustrating to work with so far I've seen many with sandpiyying and sand bars but you've shown few that just argue from start to finish
Can opalizied seashell be made into pendants if so have you ever made one
That arrowhead is amazing. Love seeing them made. What's your favorite type of opal for arrowhead making
Do you enjoy making the opal arrow points. You do a fantastic job at them. they are beautiful. Luckily for you the grandkids make up their own name for you. I was just told I'm going to be a grandaddy on June 1st so exciting.
The arrowhead is beautiful.
how is it you find all these giant pieces of good rough? it seems every parcel i get is a bust.
How small can you make an arrowhead? They are my favourite, I love watching you make them, I wish I had the skills.
What type of opal is the flashiness?
what was the first opal you cut?
Hey there! My question is : what type of opal do you find the most difficult to work with and why? all opal is beautiful in its own right, but there's got to be an ugly stepsister in there somewhere lol
Out of curiosity, what do you do with all the little chips of opal that are left from making the opal arrowheads? I just keep thinking how good they would look filling up a little succulent terrarium with them or something! They're so pretty! I might have an obsession with sparkly things. lol
I forgot to show them! They are in the giveaway
@@PulitzerOpal ooooo! Put me down for that giveaway!
Can the opal flakes you get from the arrowheads you make be turned into jewelry?
Do they have to dig ass deep in Brazil like they do in Australia to reach the opal level?
Cats AND opals. Perfection. The best channel ever. I've learned so much about opals thanks to you. Thank you so much. I truly appreciate all the education and no homework.
Leopard opal looks pretty, but I'm so salty about the name "leopard opal". Why not call it jaguar opal? Jaguars also have spots and they actually live in Mexico.
Wow the handful of opals you showed in the beginning were gorgeous! I’ve gotta ask though, is Shelia Australian? I thought I was detecting a down under accent. 😂
Do you have your own personal collection of opals the best you've came acrossed or sentimental would love to see it in a video!
I do! I have used a lot in videos - in the background.
@@PulitzerOpal Awesome I think it would be pretty neat to see a whole video just about your personal collection.