I love the shape of this opal! The white really sets off the colours beautifully, Roy. The asymetrical organic shape would be lovely with a minimum of the right thickness silver wire, is what I'd do with it if I had something like this, as a light catching pendant. It's gorgeous!
Interesting shape! Id tend to set it with a small silver bale at the top of the stone - so imagine it's a tooth .... pointed edge down and bale in the centre of the top. Nice and affordable piece of Coober Pedy for someone to wear
Nice looking piece in the end, looks a bit like a shark tooth with a bent tip. Hopefully you will find a nicer piece of the Ethiopian wood opal to work on and share with us. Looking forward to your next adventure keep up the great work 👍 Good luck everyone and congrats to the winner. Got my fingers crossed🤞
@@RoysRocks I wasn't sure if you were talking to me in your follow up vid the 2 parter. Just started part 1. I would like a parcel if you did refer to me lol if not .....whooops....lol
My damned notifications are not coming through☹️. Wondering if a wire wrap would work to show off the shape and colour. Just waiting for a cool change to the weather here. The novelty of the last 3 days is wearing off!!!!! Only one more day until it cools down. You must be sweating your butt off in the shed making these videos for us all. Thanks, Roy, you are a legend.
I'd need to come up with a pretty inventive wrap to get that to work with this stone. The new air con is doing wonders. Can keep the temp to about 33-35 on a 40+ day.
@@RoysRocks We cracked it lucky. Got an art teacher in Dimmy. Working on finishing the shop to open up properly. She's been here for a couple of years now. Been a bit held up by covid, but art lessons are on again, at last. We became good friends. She loves handcrafted stuff and her daughter bought a wire wrapped moonstone from N.S.W. She's hooked!!!! Told her about your channel. Been talking about trying to make a few pieces for her shop. She wants me to have a bash at it. Can only try and see what happens.
@@nancycurtis3230 Interesting. It wouldn't take much for you to be better at wire wrapping than me and you could display some pieces. Maybe if I ever get good enough I'll send a piece or two down for display.
@@theresabetaway7775 I really want to be able to silversmith a bezel that can wrap around and hold without covering either side. I've seen similar but it may take a few years to get to the skill level required.
im just asking. im ain't no expert. but why do you use 80 sintered diamond 240 sintered diamond 350 sintered diamond and just then you use the nova bits... i might be wrong but isn't this way better: 240 or 80 sintered diamond to remove sand 280 nova to smothen out and pre-shape 600 nova to shape 2000 nova to smothen out even more then 10 000 nova to polish mayby at the end use cerium oxide to give it a nice shine.
If you go from a 80 or 240 grit diamond to the black Nova you will be using the black Nova for hours to remove the scratches and wearing the Nova away. Also a 10000 Nova is way overkill for opal. The progression I use here is almost exactly the same as what is used on a cabbing machine when cutting most stones especially opal.
This came from Jullian Stavreas on facebook. He always has material like this from Coober Pedy. In fact this is no where near the best quality stuff he has to offer if you are keen on true gem material.
Hey roy, i have a question about cerium oxide. Recently ive had problems getting a good polish with it, it doesnt stay in the slurry solution long and clumps up. Ive noticed this ends up putting fine scratches onto my opals. I dont think ive done anything differently than usual, any ideas why my cerium is doing this?
I would just add more water. Some cerium (especially the finer stuff) requires more water. Using it thick can work quite slowly. Even if you use it really thin it can still work you just need to keep dunking the felt in it. Also make sure you dont allow any contamination to get in. That includes opal dust. My container is always covered and sealed when I am not using it.
I carve just about every day and this set has last over a year now I think? The black is starting to lose shape but thats my fault. Opal is so soft it doesn't have a huge impact on the burrs whereas the knock-off novas last about 1-2 stones.
@@RoysRocks awesome! I just ordered some of SUVA lapidary supply. I got the set of 4. I’m just getting all I’m equipment in. I’ll be cutting soon! Thanks brother!
@@RoysRocks super excited for my shipment! I got rough, a dremel w/ flex shaft, diamond burrs, and nova points all in the mail should be here next week!
I watch so many opal videos that I feel like I definitely know more than the average person, but I haven't seen opal in real life besides as a small child. I do see opal but not anything with play of color... Oregon Opal is so boring comparatively. Someday I will see a precious opal... I think lol
@@RoysRocks Irregular shapes are great for wire wrapping. I’m a beader so it was my first thought. Can you drill holes in opal for beads or will it cause them to break?
@@Jeni10 I have been meaning to try my hand at making opal beads. It can definitely be done with the right material. Drilling is not too difficult most of the time if you do it right.
I love the shape of this opal! The white really sets off the colours beautifully, Roy. The asymetrical organic shape would be lovely with a minimum of the right thickness silver wire, is what I'd do with it if I had something like this, as a light catching pendant. It's gorgeous!
I dont think I have the skills required to write wrap this one. I'll work on it though...
Great job. Free form shapes are growing on me the more i watch your channel
I love a good freeform. Took so long for the opal to form in the ground I would like to keep them as organic shapes.
So beautiful! Wonderful work, thank you for sharing 😁
No worries Shannon. 👍
Great idea with the stencil, that was a CHUNKY little piece!! 19CT! Still waiting on my parcel, I’m so anxious for it to come in hahaha.
19ct was quite a bit to work with thats for sure
The organic shape really works well for that gem! You nailed it. Those colors are really beautiful even if she's a bit subtle sharing them.
I was really hoping for a stronger showing but I'll settle for this. It still has good colour play so I'll call it a win.
@@RoysRocks I'd say all the ones that don't crack or end up with sand all the way through and end up a gem are a win!!!
@@OzoneFineArtVentures Thats a good way to look at it 👍🤞
Just wanted to let you know you're my favorite UA-camr. You have consistent high-quality videos love your channel.
Oh man Fave youtuber. You must not watch anyone else 😂👍
Haha Thanks Victor
Lovely stone, I agree It would look nice as a triangle, rounded. The little extra bit is distracting from the rest of a beautiful stone, great job
Yeah it may get a reshaping depending on how I decide to set it down the road.
lovely looks lush after the nova tips nice stone to work on, 👍🎩🇬🇧
Everything looks good after the Novas. Such a good tool.
Interesting shape! Id tend to set it with a small silver bale at the top of the stone - so imagine it's a tooth .... pointed edge down and bale in the centre of the top. Nice and affordable piece of Coober Pedy for someone to wear
Oh yeah i think I see the idea. Would look pretty nice.
I love opals, one day will try to carve one but don't wanna mess up a nice piece.
You can always start at a lower quality and build up. I think that's how most of us started. Pure potch.
Nice looking piece in the end, looks a bit like a shark tooth with a bent tip. Hopefully you will find a nicer piece of the Ethiopian wood opal to work on and share with us. Looking forward to your next adventure keep up the great work 👍 Good luck everyone and congrats to the winner.
Got my fingers crossed🤞
I'm soo pumped to draw the winner tomorrow! Cant wait to announce the winner. I need to come up with more excuses to run giveaways.
That is a beautiful piece!
Thanks Morne 👍
Keep up the good work. Also it's a great selection of opals that you're giving away
Thanks. Yeah I thought I would do a nice variety parcel for a lucky viewer. Kick start a collection with some good practice rough.
Ohhhhhh I'm super excited for this one ♥️♥️
Im super excited to find out the giveaway winner...
great piece, love the video :) Keep the opals coming!!
Thanks Lazar!
Nice looking stone!!🤩
Thanks Ellen! ❤
I like such wavy shapes. Nice one
I love them to except... THEY TAKE FOREVER TO POLISH!!!
Maximum surface area LOL
Hi Roy,
Waving from across the void of space. A first timer to your stream Lol.
Love the way this rock turned out it's symmetry is stunning.
Hi JaiRobi, welcome to the channel. This one was quite a ride.
@@RoysRocks I wasn't sure if you were talking to me in your follow up vid the 2 parter. Just started part 1.
I would like a parcel if you did refer to me lol if not .....whooops....lol
Omg I'm a silly gooseberry.
Looks great
Thanks Chris
My damned notifications are not coming through☹️. Wondering if a wire wrap would work to show off the shape and colour. Just waiting for a cool change to the weather here. The novelty of the last 3 days is wearing off!!!!! Only one more day until it cools down. You must be sweating your butt off in the shed making these videos for us all. Thanks, Roy, you are a legend.
I'd need to come up with a pretty inventive wrap to get that to work with this stone. The new air con is doing wonders. Can keep the temp to about 33-35 on a 40+ day.
@@RoysRocks Got the local art gallery interested in what you are doing. She loves it.
@@nancycurtis3230 In Horsham or is there one in Dimmy nowadays?
@@RoysRocks We cracked it lucky. Got an art teacher in Dimmy. Working on finishing the shop to open up properly. She's been here for a couple of years now. Been a bit held up by covid, but art lessons are on again, at last. We became good friends. She loves handcrafted stuff and her daughter bought a wire wrapped moonstone from N.S.W. She's hooked!!!! Told her about your channel. Been talking about trying to make a few pieces for her shop. She wants me to have a bash at it. Can only try and see what happens.
@@nancycurtis3230 Interesting. It wouldn't take much for you to be better at wire wrapping than me and you could display some pieces.
Maybe if I ever get good enough I'll send a piece or two down for display.
There are some colors there Roy and will make a nice pendant too .😺
Now I just need the skill to manage a setting.
@@RoysRocks Im sure you'll get to that stage soon ,Wire or bezel ? Both sounds good the latter better tho 🤞.
@@theresabetaway7775 I really want to be able to silversmith a bezel that can wrap around and hold without covering either side. I've seen similar but it may take a few years to get to the skill level required.
@@RoysRocks Aye i totally agree with that one ,I'll dm you on that next step as im in alliance with you 💯💫📿
Took your advice it had a look at the live video on blacklighters was worth it few hundred $$ in can’t wait for the parcels to arrive
Ooo thats exciting. I won ANOTHER giveaway from them yesterday! Lucky as lately.
I love this video man
Ah I remember this one. Quite a long way back while I was using the old phone camera.
im just asking. im ain't no expert.
but why do you use 80 sintered diamond 240 sintered diamond 350 sintered diamond and just then you use the nova bits...
i might be wrong but isn't this way better: 240 or 80 sintered diamond to remove sand 280 nova to smothen out and pre-shape 600 nova to shape 2000 nova to smothen out even more then 10 000 nova to polish mayby at the end use cerium oxide to give it a nice shine.
If you go from a 80 or 240 grit diamond to the black Nova you will be using the black Nova for hours to remove the scratches and wearing the Nova away. Also a 10000 Nova is way overkill for opal.
The progression I use here is almost exactly the same as what is used on a cabbing machine when cutting most stones especially opal.
That's turned into a beauty!! Send me a link please and I will buy a parcel of that stuff please. Great vid.
This came from Jullian Stavreas on facebook. He always has material like this from Coober Pedy. In fact this is no where near the best quality stuff he has to offer if you are keen on true gem material.
@@RoysRocks cheers bud thanks for the info. 👍
@@nigelkavanagh2048 Not a problem my friend
😍😍😍
😊
👍
👍
Hey roy, i have a question about cerium oxide. Recently ive had problems getting a good polish with it, it doesnt stay in the slurry solution long and clumps up. Ive noticed this ends up putting fine scratches onto my opals. I dont think ive done anything differently than usual, any ideas why my cerium is doing this?
May be a different grade or a bad lot. Just a thought.
I would just add more water. Some cerium (especially the finer stuff) requires more water. Using it thick can work quite slowly. Even if you use it really thin it can still work you just need to keep dunking the felt in it.
Also make sure you dont allow any contamination to get in. That includes opal dust. My container is always covered and sealed when I am not using it.
Does your polishing scheme use cerium oxide?
Yeah final step after 3000 grit nova is cerium oxide.
I know it is probably different for everyone depending on the use of it, but I’m curious how long the novas last for you?
I carve just about every day and this set has last over a year now I think? The black is starting to lose shape but thats my fault. Opal is so soft it doesn't have a huge impact on the burrs whereas the knock-off novas last about 1-2 stones.
@@RoysRocks awesome! I just ordered some of SUVA lapidary supply. I got the set of 4. I’m just getting all I’m equipment in. I’ll be cutting soon! Thanks brother!
@@Ginothewarrior Yep that set of 4 is perfect for opal.
@@RoysRocks super excited for my shipment! I got rough, a dremel w/ flex shaft, diamond burrs, and nova points all in the mail should be here next week!
@@Ginothewarrior Wow fully geared up very soon. Good luck and have fun with it!
I watch so many opal videos that I feel like I definitely know more than the average person, but I haven't seen opal in real life besides as a small child. I do see opal but not anything with play of color... Oregon Opal is so boring comparatively. Someday I will see a precious opal... I think lol
Man I have seen some interesting patterns in Oregon opal. Some wonderful stones out there.
@@RoysRocks I have all kinds of neat rocks, but none that look like cool holographs from space lol.
@@mattsmith6321 Haha. Cool space rocks are what I am after on a daily basis.
Wire wrap it.
I wonder where this stone is after all this time... I probably would have been a great one to wrap.
@@RoysRocks Irregular shapes are great for wire wrapping. I’m a beader so it was my first thought. Can you drill holes in opal for beads or will it cause them to break?
@@Jeni10 I have been meaning to try my hand at making opal beads. It can definitely be done with the right material. Drilling is not too difficult most of the time if you do it right.
@@RoysRocks I might be interested in that, depending on the cost of course.