finally after 30 years I get to cut an opal just like the
beautiful Crystal opal that my dad gave to me in my collection
when I was 10 years old my father went to lightning Ridge and he bought a piece of opal
but turned out to be one of the most beautiful Crystal Opals I've ever seen and back then I got
to watch him cut it and I saw how much time and effort he put into this Stone to save every carrot
and every Fleck of color that this Stone could produce and now I have the privilege to be able to
cut almost an identical gem that I've been looking at for over a couple of months now so quite
nostalgic about this because it means so much and is bringing back so many beautiful memories
out of respect for this piece I've had it for about two months and I've been studying it to
make sure I know exactly where I want this Stone to come out so I'm going to slice a little bit
off the end just to savour that color as well because every bit of color in this is beautiful
you know the amazing part about this piece is it's not even the best part of
the opal now this piece was the whole opal and I am only cutting this tiny
little piece I didn't get my hands on the big part it was way too much money
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this piece on the wheel only on the areas that really need it I'm trying to save carrots but
there is still some inclusions and sand spots and rough areas on the surface that need to come out
I do want to cut a perfect gem but I don't want to lose too much weight
I'm really enjoying this
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thank you
the 3D color on color that this gem is going to produce is unbelievable
and the two patterns on either side make it for an even more interesting gem with one side with
floral and flagstone and the other side with so much depth that it's hard to actually give it a
pattern name but I see floral I see flagstone chaff and Broad flash just to start with
it's times like these where I can really enjoy the process cutting a beautiful gem as beautiful as
this one doesn't come around every day and I am so honored to be able to cut it and polish it foreign
because the color looks at you at a certain angle so much more than
any other I have to orientate the Dome to make the color show its best so I've
set it up on the dopstick so it's at the right angle for me to cut it
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you can use Diamond grits and all sorts of new technology but I like the old
style a nice solid felt wheel with cerium oxide still does the best job that I know
I think also some things need to be kept as tradition
thank you
it's time to polish the other side but I have to be careful
there's still some sand spots there and on the other side as well foreign
nothing beats a beautiful Crystal opal gem with 3D color on color like this
and the challenge to cutting something like this a double-sided crystal is getting those
two sides on the edges of the opal to meet and be polished beautifully
what an amazing journey and a privilege to be able to cut a stone that is almost
exactly like my father's 30 years ago thanks for watching
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