$500 Purchase turns insane profit? 

As for your question- I DO feel your pressure. I believe this is why so many of us like your channel, we like watching, and feeling all the things thru you. Going from feeling the pressure, to the excitement of being able to bring out the beauty in each stone, it all comes full circle! You're honesty is palpable. How refreshing!! Not to mention your artistry, which is admirable. All these things without being overbearing, or boastful. Thank You for letting me come along on these adventures with you Justin, I very much enjoy it each time. ❤

We always look forward to Justin and his knobby

I’m going to speak for everyone. We are cheering for your success. It’s not so much about fearing you might lose $500. It’s the excitement of seeing something hidden in the ground for a zillion years and being there when something astonishing emerges. That’s the excitement.

I like it when you quantify the financial risk you take. It helps us understand the risk involved. Glad it turned out so well for you😊

I always feel the pressure and stress you go through! I always love it when you have a painless and wonderful outcome.

That's a gorgeous stone, and just what I would buy, if I could afford to spend that sort of money. I sit here with all the feels as you cut these stones. It's what I watch for!

As a novice/amateur cutter - oh boy do I feel the tense moments with you: the sadness at sand ruining what "could have been" and the elation of the stone cleaning up when you thought all hope was lost. I started out with what my friends called "rubbish" opal: mostly potch but with a little bit of colour in them, which to me at the time seemed like super expensive pieces to be "wasted" by me learning. I didnt try to make "perfect" stones, but instead learned how to shape the stone to best bring out what was inside despite being full of sand and inclusions - "perfectly imperfect" I called them =) Even in those batches, I'd occasionally come across a piece that I knew I didnt yet have the skill to do it justice and didnt want to ruin prematurely - so I have a decent collection of stones "for Ron" =D Always love watching your vids and thankyou so very much for delivering the lessons you've learned in a way that makes it not only informative, but fun! Best wishes from Port Lincoln =D

What a great result! It's terrific that the yellow and red colours made an appearance. Thanks for posting.

I love the fact that even though I have zero skill in cutting opal stones, I do have eyes and I can see as well as you when that hidden opal color emerges from the rough. It is very exciting and fulfilling!

I feel the tension. I'm happy for you when they turn out beautifully! I'm glad you show when they don't turn out. To know sweetness we must also know sour, savory, salty... the other possibilities life brings.

I hold my breath everytime you are cutting the stone. When the color starts coming out, I get as excited as you do!!! Love seeing those colors come out of a rough looking rock! Love your videos!!

I can’t believe how entertaining these opal cutting podcasts are. I fell onto Black Opal Direct podcasts and have been watching and learning every day since. The cutting process is fascinating and the production quality of these podcasts is so well done that it all comes off like it’s easy. I’m a fan.

What a ride. Edge of my seat. Even with the spoiler, it was much better than I expected, after seeing how thin the bar was after you rubbed the sides. What a stunner! Mahalos

Indeed we feel that pressure! I often find myself releasing my breath during your videos. Keep up the amazing work and sharing. Thank you!

Stunning gem. I love any Opal that reminds me of a Hubble photo of swirling gas clouds!

I watched a guy working an opal one time and he could not figure out why his stones would crack when working them. It took me a second to figure it out, he did not have water on the wheel or turned on for that matters......YIKES. Great video Justin and great gem.

Sometimes, I get nervous about when you go deep into the color. But then I ensured myself that you're the profession, l and I just started learning about opals and how to cut them. I enjoy your videos and teaching. TY!

I cut my first opal yesterday. I have a dremel but wanted to do it by hand. You've been my main source of information Justin and I don't think I would have even thiught of it without the influence of you and your skill. Cutting took a fair while but I am happy with the result. I don't have scales but I would estimate it's somewhere between 2 and 3 carats of very nice CP opal with blue, green, yellow, orange and loads of red. Very pretty. And then I did another smaller stone because it turns out cutting them is like pringles 🤣 A parcel of small nobbies and chips purchased on ebay that cost less than $20 and two stones already made me back my money many times over and have paid for the gear I also purchased so I could cut them. Could turn out to be a great way to make a bit of independent cash while I can't work and a good match for off grid vanlife 👍

Fantastic result Justin ........ one of the prettiest Gems ever ! Love it !

That is an amazing gem. You definitely earned that 5k.

Beautiful! 😍 The awesome colors always amaze me, and I appreciate you sharing your craft with us!

I am not a cutter, a newbie opal admirer. I just felt relieved and happy watching this!

I hold my breath and forget to breathe when you cut these! Stressful is the right word for sure.

This will be very exciting to watch Justin cutting a knobby into a magical gem!

Oh wowsers! This takes my breath away! And yes the anticipation, and I find myself holding my breath and encouraging you...even my muscles tense and relax as you go along with the stone. I'm happy that your hard work and skills have paid off big time! My hear is full of joy watching you work with opal Justin.

Love watching you work cutting a gem and bringing it to life. You are truely a mystro of the opal, thankyou for sharing your craft.

Absolutely feel the pressure. Every time I watch you cut a large investment I’m really on the edge of my seat. it’s like I’m watching a football game and I’m pulling for your team! 🎉

I definitely feel the pressure, just as much as I feel the joy when you cut a beautiful gem. I love it when you succeed despite the odds.

I always feel tension when you cut stones. You've improved the production quality of your videos immensely since I've started watching them. The choice of music for the background helps accentuate the dramatic vibe inherent in grinding virgin opals.

I tense up once you start cutting the stone.. Sometimes I realize I actually hold my breath for little moments at a time until I start seeing a good outcome turning up. Yes, I experience the tension and pressure along with you AND for you (and your family)!

Was holding my breathe the entire time! Love learning about your craft and these beautiful stones. Thank you for sharing your knowledge

I love these start to finish videos. Watching a stone become a gem. Great job! Thank you.

It gets my heart pumping with adrenaline as the opal faces. Truely lucky to be able to watch you turn rough into one of a Kind treasures.

What I love about this video is that around the 11:46 mark you do a flashback to what the original uncut knobby looked like, which I can contrast immediately after when you cut to the shot of the finished product. I love seeing the before and after comparison. Indeed, a split screen of the two would be ideal for me.

Hi, loving the excitement of revealing the colour. I’ve just started playing with opals, rough boulder opal and I’m using a dremel. Keep showing us how it’s done. Cheers Rob.

Yes, I smiled when you said something about your muscles relaxing. I realized I was tensing up and almost holding my breath. I love these videos. It's that satisfying relaxation at the end

Congratulations!!! Well done. Another beautiful opal!!!

I can appreciate your feelings of uncertainty, and I also get a bit anxious. But that is the enjoyable part of cutting opal. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

Oh I do feel the pressure! I find myself holding my breath as you work! And definitely a pretty stone.

Love you Justin! Thanks for the tips and your efforts.

Good work, Justin, always a pleasure to watch you on the wheel, your awesome!

Beautiful! 😍 Glad you turned a profit. 🤑 Thanks for sharing 😃

Awesome, thanks Justin. I live to watch in anticipation. I have been watching quite awhile, and can see what you're doing. I enjoy it every time 🤓

Yep. I get knots in my gut even knowing you’ll only be sharing mostly wins. Love your style Justin. Cheers.

Every time you go in for the grind I’m at the edge of my seat routing for ya… and yes when a nice gem emerges I get a wave of relief as you do!

I completely understand the kind of pressure you speak about. It's the same pressure that causes me to wait on a stone sometimes for weeks on end because I'm afraid of screwing it up and not quite sure what approach to take. Because I know that once I start I will have committed and there's no turning back. It's hard to suffer a loss but I also understand its necessity. This truly was a top gem and I simply adore the tiny red and orange flames that lick up through the center. This is definitely a beauty! 💙

Very nice. I love the way how you explain and teach.

You are amazing brother. I thoroughly enjoy watching you work. Thanx for sharing.

Of course I always feel like your birthing something a wonderful event regardless of the outcome. I get so excited when the sand allows you to uncover the awesome beauty hidden just below. It’s nerve wracking for all kinds of reasons, this is the good stress we need to balance ourselves out. I love your work and I might even get to see you if Arizona is still on. I’m a big fan of the stones and you !!

It's always a pleasure to watch you work. I learn something new with every new video you post. Thank you!

Hello there from ChCh , NZ .... I am so glad to have 'tripped' upon your Fantastic vidclips again ... I have not 'seen' you in ages .... Just love your Work, Enthusiasm and Narration.... All the Very Best to You and Yours for 2022, may you find more Wonderful Stones to share with us..... I am over 70 already, a retired 'engineer', so really appreciate your work. Would love to come over to Oz again, this time try to see Opals from 'wo to go' .......Keep well and Stay safe ....

Good result. Great advice at the end too for people new to opal.

Wonderful stone I love that swirl of color near the red. I'm still practicing my polishing. Starting to finally get it with the help of your video's. Hope the move is going well. Thanks for taking the time to film. Have a great week

Yes. Definitely feel the muscles tightening and then finally releasing deliciously. You’re an artist with opal. A joy to watch. 😅

Eventually I'll have a lapidary cab. Love your work and yup, the stress and tension shows through because were all working people and know how much money is on the line with every cut.

I really enjoy you’re very dramatic Opal cutting videos. I was cutting opals from Cooper Pedy in 1967. Bought them through an ad in the lapidary journal and had the rough sent to the Cayman Islands. They sold for more than the cost of my Entire lapidary equipment to one customer who just walked in the door. In hindsight he probably got a better deal but I was 19 years old at the time. I could expand my business because of his purchase so it was good for both of us. Additionally I discovered black coral growing over the drop off in Cayman (220 ft) and that became a major industry in this small island in the middle of the Caribbean. Spanish gold treasure became apart of my business later on so All of the excitement fell into place.

yes I feel the angsity when your cuting a stone, I have been watching you and learning slowly but short on equipment but doing my best,

That gem turned out to be amazing with the colour flashes in it. Nice gamble Justin, thank you

You get my heart pumping and I def hold my breath!! Beautiful opalssss

Whaaa whooooooo, way to go Justin! Fantastic Gem!!! I am so happy for you. Thank you so much for taking your time show us how to cut opal to amazing fems. You make it so easy, understanding the years you have spent and your father. As I say a Master at work. Congratulations TerryD

I know nothing about opal, and I don't know how I found this, but I always enjoy watching them come to life!

i realy love your channel, am from ethiopia i have rough black opals but i have no machine,skill,even export licences but watching you is big hope for my future. bless you

Yes I too feel the pressure. On my seat wondering will it turn out for him? Sad when it goes on the sand jar & so so happy when it works out. Boy did this one turn out. For a while I was thinking oh boy this is so iffy. What a surprise! You're the man J.T. Might have to start calling you the GOAT. Take care.💜

Beautiful stone. And how I feel the pressure you must feel. Congrats!

What a BEAUT! Gems like this are the reason I watch your channel Justin, you find some of the best 'maybe' stones and turn them into something stunning. You release the works of art that Mother Nature hid in these stones for thousands to millions of years, and that's something special. Please don't stop filming.

Thanks for permission to sand w/o expensive equip. I purchased a raw opal online and began to cut it and it's even more impressive than I thought it was. Alot of sand not so much potch..

My first time watching a video of this kind. Very interesting and I DEFINITELY felt the pressure when you were cutting that stone!

Just love watching these gems being born and its always great to see it working out so so well for you ;-)

As per your question... Nope. I don't feel any pressure when you're bringing the gem to light and to life.. I feel totally confident in your skills and just like to watch it happen because it fascinates me how you "find" beauty.

I definitely feel the pressure! It's a cliffhanger until you get to the (hopefully nice) surprise! I love watching your videos - exciting and educational (and pretty).

Dude you are so confident when you grind off the amount you do!

Love how the shape of the stone just emerges under your fingers, seeming effortless. A true master.

It takes so much skill to do this well! Opals are tricky gems, but so gorgeous!

I love when you cut a great stone. I know it totally makes your day and your week to see a gem like that! Thanks for the journey.

Thank you for sharing this with me !

Love going on the journey with you mate!! I feel like I’m holding the stone in my own hands at times You voice is so soothing, it draws you in on the ride!!! The way you speak!! 👌👌 Can definitely feel the love an passion running in your blood for this work Thank you for sharing these amazing videos mate, what a……… Legend!!!!!

Yes, I do get tense when you are pushing the envelope so to speak, I start to clinch my fingers waiting and hoping for great results. Mother Nature can give and take away. Beautiful gem in the end.

I`m in love with Hubble`s pictures, and that beauty looks like a nebula. love it.

I just discovered your podcasts a few days ago and I’m hooked.

Eeeee!!! Thank you so much for doing another one of these! You really do listen to our requests, and that's so nice of you, Justin! Friggin LOVE YOU, MAN! ❤🇺🇸🇦🇺

Wowzers! What a GREAT knobby that turned out to be. You're kinda amazing!! I do love watching you. You have such a great sense of humor. Thanks for today's video. Keep spreading the Aloha🌺

top video like always ! love it ! thanks so much for share Justin 🙏🙏🙏

Great stone, great return. That is amazing.

I get excited watching and hoping that Opal will be awesome ! I'm sorry that I have been gone for a while been busy on my farm and had lost my favorite horse a few months back . I'm doing better but not back to being a 100% yet ! Take care , stay safe and healthy with whatever you and your crew maybe doing next !

Yes we are feeling the pressure we are cutting these stones with you .

Anyone that cuts stones feels the pressure and we have to stop and breathe every now and then. Any day you turn a profit, is a good day. That stone had all the colors and was just beautiful. Thanks for sharing. Be happy, safe and stay healthy. 😷⚒

I really like it when you do a stone start to finish. Thank you!

One of the nicest patterns and color displays I've ever seen.

Well done! Beautiful Opal!

That's an mazing stone Justin! Keep 'em coming. Always look forward to your new content.

I could get addicted to this, kinda treasure hunting. Literally treasure hunting.

Yes I feel the suspense. I find myself holding my breath. Lovely gem.

Absolutely stunning gem💕

I feel the stress for you but know you are a true master.

oh the mystery of it all! love watching these develop either good or bad!

I love watching you turn a rock into something beautiful thank you for sharing

I'm an Aussie living in the UK. (I grew up in Forster- Tuncurry in NSW) I get up in the morning ,make a coffee and hope that there's something new from you guys to watch as I'm waking up. Grey and cold here at the moment but your vids brighten my day. It's great to hear the accents and watch the gems being revealed. Thanks.

Definitely anxious and elated when you take those decisions and calculated risks!

Love watching you perform your magic

LOL I'm on the edge of my seat till you get to a point where you say.. " we've got a really nice stone..." Then I relax and watch you finish it. This particular stone is absolutely gorgeous. My favorite color combination. Wish I had 5k to buy it, but seeing I don't even wear jewelry.. probably not a good use of my finite resources.