One of my biggest struggles is resources for content on what to buy and how to cut/polish. Living in the United States, I can't just go to an Opal shop/person and learn the ins and outs of opal cutting. All of my resources are on-line, like the Roy's Rocks videos. Thank you for all you how to videos. they have helped so much.
I have struggled big time to overcome anxiety 🙃 Opal cutting seems to help ease my mind with some vibes in the headphones. Opal is not just amazing looking, it's mind healing too. ✨️
Started getting interested in opals roughly 2 years ago (YouTube progression: Lapidary Dave, Black Opal Direct, Roys Rocks, The Opal Mills, 53Frogs/nnOpals, et al). Slowly accumulated equipment, cheap as possible. My rotary tool cost AUD$40, still works great. So in 2 years I have completed carving and cutting 🤔 ... 0 total 🙄. My excuses are many and varied. Contact me if interested. 😁 I have about 9 on the go at the moment though. At least 1 will be finished before March (I think). I am concentrating on Australian opal until I have that down to a fine art. I am currently carving some Mintabie potch, Lightning Ridge Crystal and grey based and also treating some Andamooka matrix which I purchased from The Opal Mills (Thank you Phil, it really is beautiful stuff 😁). I also have a fair bit of Coober Pedy from The Blacklighters (thank you team 😁) but I probably can't/shouldn't start on that until I finish this other stuff. Which at my rate, could be a while. 😐😅
I started cutting gravel and pretty rocks I spotted while hiking in 2014, then agates and other different semi-presious stones. In 2015 I cut a few opals just before I had to put my hobby on hold.
I was now alone with my todler, she's diagnosed with autism and needed my full attention all the time, she was also very sensitive to high sounds/noice.
I picked it back up just before Christmas in 2021, now pretty much opals only as I fell badly in love with them 😊
I've donated nearly half my kitchen 🫣 to the hobby, and cutting as much as possible.
Yeah the livestreams get taken down once finished and I edit them down to cut out all the downbeats to condense it. edited version is up though: https://youtu.be/h7_1cLZckP8
I just started cutting opal and really enjoy working with the boulder opal purchased recently in Tucson. I just cut my third opal today after viewing many of your videos
As previously mentioned on Youtube, I have cut 131 stones since November 2021. The good new is, with Justin's expertise in Tucson, we valued the 11 stones at about 1900 dollars total (if I sell them all). That will just about cover the cost of ALL the opal rough parcels I have purchased since the beginning of my journey.
One problem though, I gave my favorite stone of the bunch to Ruth to have her jeweler create a pendant for it and, assuming it is at a price I deem affordable, that will be 400 dollars less. But, heck, I deserve ONE piece of jewelry for myself that is made from a stone I crafted.
I have been cutting since I was 8 years old. My father introduced me to it as a child. so 48 years on and off. I probably have cut over 500 opals. From the USA, my father was in the Army and learned from Amy post hobby shops.
I had my first experiences cutting during Christmas! Picked through a little rough at a market and started experimenting, I've cut 3 stones dirtying up my dad's grinding wheel (supposed to be for his tools!) which I'm happy with, and now I want to start paying attention to shaping and cabbing! Have had a parcel in the mail for a few weeks, and I can't wait to get it! Struggles of living in Europe most of the time! 😂 I've learned everything from YouTube, first by watching Justin but mostly now with your videos because after watching me over Christmas my brother gave me a Dremel as a present 😍
One and a half year experience, only australian and ethiopian opal. Some 50 stones cabs, doublets and triplets, size between 0.5-4 ct. I'm using the finished stones for silver jewellry for my relatives and friends. All knwoledgefor cutting and silver mithing came from the internet
Have only been trying to cut and learn about opal for the last 6 months and have found it very satisfying. Learning lots off your vids and the oz opal community
I have cut somewhere around 5,000+ opals. Started with Ethiopian, coober, Ridge, Mulga, Grawin, Boulder, American, Brazilian, and Peruvian opals. I use a combination of slant cabbers, CabKing, and Foredom.
I’ve also cabbed numerous other types of agates too.
I started cutting opal a little over a year ago and have cut about 100 stones by now. I started out with Australian opal and just got into Ethiopian recently. Your videos have been super helpful for me a s a beginner and I still learn something new every time :)
I’m still a beginner but I would say 50-60 stones , now by stones I’m talking most have ended up in the micro category 😅 and have been at it for about 6 months . Just practicing for when I get that nice , good gem quality piece .
Hey Roy, I've only been cutting a short time, around 6 months maybe and I've cut around 40 odd stones. I've also been making mosaic opal pendants which have been fun. Thanks for another opportunity 💜
I posted on YouTube but thought I'd share here as well.
Buying junk opal😅 but it's I'm struggling with making even domes
One of my biggest struggles is resources for content on what to buy and how to cut/polish. Living in the United States, I can't just go to an Opal shop/person and learn the ins and outs of opal cutting. All of my resources are on-line, like the Roy's Rocks videos. Thank you for all you how to videos. they have helped so much.
Cutting Opels is my new addiction. I would love to win a prize. Good luck to everyone and good luck to me.
I have struggled big time to overcome anxiety 🙃 Opal cutting seems to help ease my mind with some vibes in the headphones. Opal is not just amazing looking, it's mind healing too. ✨️
Started getting interested in opals roughly 2 years ago (YouTube progression: Lapidary Dave, Black Opal Direct, Roys Rocks, The Opal Mills, 53Frogs/nnOpals, et al). Slowly accumulated equipment, cheap as possible. My rotary tool cost AUD$40, still works great. So in 2 years I have completed carving and cutting 🤔 ... 0 total 🙄. My excuses are many and varied. Contact me if interested. 😁 I have about 9 on the go at the moment though. At least 1 will be finished before March (I think). I am concentrating on Australian opal until I have that down to a fine art. I am currently carving some Mintabie potch, Lightning Ridge Crystal and grey based and also treating some Andamooka matrix which I purchased from The Opal Mills (Thank you Phil, it really is beautiful stuff 😁). I also have a fair bit of Coober Pedy from The Blacklighters (thank you team 😁) but I probably can't/shouldn't start on that until I finish this other stuff. Which at my rate, could be a while. 😐😅
I started cutting gravel and pretty rocks I spotted while hiking in 2014, then agates and other different semi-presious stones. In 2015 I cut a few opals just before I had to put my hobby on hold.
I was now alone with my todler, she's diagnosed with autism and needed my full attention all the time, she was also very sensitive to high sounds/noice.
I picked it back up just before Christmas in 2021, now pretty much opals only as I fell badly in love with them 😊
I've donated nearly half my kitchen 🫣 to the hobby, and cutting as much as possible.
Cut 2 carved 2 am very good but sad I don't live down under. Luv u man youtube sux, the live you just did a few hours ago is nowhere to be found
I just started cutting opal and really enjoy working with the boulder opal purchased recently in Tucson. I just cut my third opal today after viewing many of your videos
As previously mentioned on Youtube, I have cut 131 stones since November 2021. The good new is, with Justin's expertise in Tucson, we valued the 11 stones at about 1900 dollars total (if I sell them all). That will just about cover the cost of ALL the opal rough parcels I have purchased since the beginning of my journey.
One problem though, I gave my favorite stone of the bunch to Ruth to have her jeweler create a pendant for it and, assuming it is at a price I deem affordable, that will be 400 dollars less. But, heck, I deserve ONE piece of jewelry for myself that is made from a stone I crafted.
I haven’t cut any opal yet because I don’t have the equipment to start.
I have only carved three pieces of boulder opal so far. I'm looking forward to working with more as soon as I have money to order rough opal.
I have been cutting since I was 8 years old. My father introduced me to it as a child. so 48 years on and off. I probably have cut over 500 opals. From the USA, my father was in the Army and learned from Amy post hobby shops.
I had my first experiences cutting during Christmas! Picked through a little rough at a market and started experimenting, I've cut 3 stones dirtying up my dad's grinding wheel (supposed to be for his tools!) which I'm happy with, and now I want to start paying attention to shaping and cabbing! Have had a parcel in the mail for a few weeks, and I can't wait to get it! Struggles of living in Europe most of the time! 😂 I've learned everything from YouTube, first by watching Justin but mostly now with your videos because after watching me over Christmas my brother gave me a Dremel as a present 😍
Hello,
One and a half year experience, only australian and ethiopian opal. Some 50 stones cabs, doublets and triplets, size between 0.5-4 ct. I'm using the finished stones for silver jewellry for my relatives and friends. All knwoledgefor cutting and silver mithing came from the internet
Have only been trying to cut and learn about opal for the last 6 months and have found it very satisfying. Learning lots off your vids and the oz opal community
I have cut somewhere around 5,000+ opals. Started with Ethiopian, coober, Ridge, Mulga, Grawin, Boulder, American, Brazilian, and Peruvian opals. I use a combination of slant cabbers, CabKing, and Foredom.
I’ve also cabbed numerous other types of agates too.
I started cutting opal a little over a year ago and have cut about 100 stones by now. I started out with Australian opal and just got into Ethiopian recently. Your videos have been super helpful for me a s a beginner and I still learn something new every time :)
I haven’t cut or carved an opal yet. I would like to try it someday. I love watching your videos.
I’m still a beginner but I would say 50-60 stones , now by stones I’m talking most have ended up in the micro category 😅 and have been at it for about 6 months . Just practicing for when I get that nice , good gem quality piece .
Hey Roy, I've only been cutting a short time, around 6 months maybe and I've cut around 40 odd stones. I've also been making mosaic opal pendants which have been fun. Thanks for another opportunity 💜