I can only imagine how long it’s taken to acquire the equipment and the knowledge to do the impressive level of work you’re doing. I’ve done free hand, cutting of various gemstones myself. But nothing quite as intricate. your work is impressive.
Even locating facet grade opal is tricky. But it takes a special touch to actually do the cutting. I like the detailed information you included in his video.
I have always been of the opinion that opals should be smooth and rounded with a dark background. You have changed my mind. The clarity of this stone, looking transparent until the light suddenly flashes color from internal and invisible boundaries, this has changed my opinion on opals in a big way.
Oh wowwwww.... I didn't know opals can have such high clarity, always thought they'd be cloudy and faceting would be useless. I'm so wrong, this opal is gorgeous.
Thank you for getting me into faceted opal Steve. I'm a beginner under 15 stones cut. Over a year ago I drooled over this video. I've faceted my first opal now a Mexi 9mm round. Love it! I will try more soon.
Careful with the Ethiopian crystal as it is rarely stable. This applies to the glass clear material like this one. Material that is slightly milky but still crystal is usually ok.
@@Moregems - I much appreciate the tips and your vids. I have some smaller and lower grade welo to practice with, and some really nice oregon fire opal. I'd love to get some hyalite! I have not done an oval yet but I'd much prefer a design similar to yours. Looks stellar.
Wooow thanks Sir for sharing your knowledge. We are in Tanzania and want to become jewelry artists! With your amazing videos we will archieve! Bless you and your family!
Great video. We always teach people to wear eye protection when using saws and grinding machines. Eyes are so special and the damage sometimes cannot be repaired!
Such a great thing that the video is guided with how to opal was cut from start to finish, I've never seen a opal faceted before and this one it's amazing, i really enjoy how the facets multiply the play of colour of the stone, those are truly gems.
I keep watching this video over and over again. I'm in love with this opal. I like faceted crystal opals. Maybe in a couple of year I would buy such a beauty.
wow Steve i never thought it would show that much color in the end , very nice crystal with a very gemmy look because of colors and how clean the body is
I don’t understand why everyone loves diamonds. Seriously with diamonds it seems that the more it looks like nothing the more expensive it is. Opals are so beautiful, it is easy to see what makes a particular gem beautiful. This is the first time I’ve seen an Ethiopia Opal that is not cracked. It is breathtaking, turn it this or that way shows you something new each time.
Dan Seabreeze I’ve only seen Australian opal cabbed, but there is plenty of Ethiopian opal on eBay that is faceted. He explained in the video that you get more color by faceting.
MoreGems.com I would not facet welo opals if it’s hydrophan it just doesn’t add anything to the great color play of these stones. At least too many small facets makes them very stressful to look at. If you just cut a few edges that is fine but like a diamond cut it kills the nice broad flashes and color patterns on the welo stones. Crystal welo material is another topic though.
MoreGems.com but this is a crystal opal Steve. I like that facets on them too. Of course it’s always on the artist. You got me a bit wrong there. What I was trying to say is with these broad color bands and patterns these small facets split often these patterns and colors to much and don’t add to the natural beauty of the stones. Which is mostly to see on the hydrophane welos. For this crystal welo to me is totally fine as it has not as much color and is see through. :) I would not facet a natural colorful and rich on pattern hydrophane opal but better make a cab. But of course it’s free to everyone what they do. It’s just what I feel with the welos for myself. Anyone can take a look on if the facets suit a hydrophane welo or not. On crystal it’s best you can do for it even. It’s like Facetting an Australian black opal you know what I mean?! The hydrophane colorful not see through material. Not the crystal ones :)
Watching your videos are like being in a classroom. You are so knowledgeable. Thank you for making them, I hope someday to become a facet-uer. The lap equipment is so pricey though! Great video Opal is the best
One of my Welo opals was badly crazed and lost colors completely! I was very disappointed. I have many rough opals and wish I had your talent to facet or cut or polish opals! Amazing workmanship! Thank you!!!
Very nice cut! Its crazy to see my grandfathers machine still up and running after all these years. Funny enough I bought a house last year and it’s right up the road from where his shop was where he made them.
WOW!! That is one beautiful gemstone, the play of color and shimmering reds you achieved are really amazing. Thanks for putting so much time into making the video, I really enjoyed watching your process.
Thank you guys very much for producing this video. I've wondered for years how gem cutting was done, and I've seen a couple of channels with some hokey looking equipment, but this was very interesting, informative, and entertaining. The end result was absolutely stunning! very well done Steve!
Wow!! Beautiful opal remarkablebgreat job! Appreciated how gemsbstone been cut by professional master.Thank you for sharing perfect gems stone cutting.👍💪💙 the opal compare to diamond
At first I was blasé about this vid, but as he finally started cut I grew more and more interested by the end I was actually looking at his link to purchase one of these things, they end up stunning.
I'm just stunned by the beauty of this gem 💎 it's truly a master piece I would give my life savings for that. it's so mesmerizing!!! very nice work indeed 👍
Thanks Steve. Remarkable job. That stone turned out great. The faceting really shows off the color. Done that way I actually like an opal. The interesting part though is that new machine. It’s not priced for the hobbiest but it would be interesting to get a tour of it’s features. Thanks again for sharing.
Just found your site and was fixated watching my first gem cutting and fascinated by your incredible talent. And proud that you're a fellow Hoosier! I'll be back for more More!😄
This is a gorgeous opal!!! Watching you work makes me really appreciate the stones I have and the work that went into them. I can’t imagine how frustrating it would be to put all that time and money into making this only to have it crack afterwards.
You should watch vintage time he cuts and facets all sorts of gems and goes through the whole process I watched him cut a 1850 ct diamond in to a 358 ct diamond this stuff is interesting
Wow, What a wonderful job and hard work you show here! Very inspiring. Its just so beautifully done! What a joy to be able to see this. Thank you for your video.
Hello Steve, well first I must say, I love how you teach through the video and explain each step and process, your a delight to listen to as you have a sincerely soothing voice and a true gift of cutting! That opal was just gorgeous! Im on an opal hunt now as my mother just passed away and one of my siblings stole her large opal ring that my uncle designed and made in the 70s. My heart was broken to not see that peice in the remainder of what was left of her possessions... but i want to buy one as a reminder of my mom and the fact that life is fragile and not to be taken for granted, just like an opal.. Blessings to you Steve and you have a new sub in me and i look forward to seeing more videos! I hope you show it set! Pamela
All I can say is that came out amazing, and I'm so jealous… I just started working on gemstones by hand obviously not getting any nice facets like that. You definitely deserve credit for an awesome skill.
Who says Australia has the best opal. This truly rivals them both, amazing job and finished product. Sure it's worth a fortune, I'm sure your going to remember cutting this amazing opal and happy it was yourself.
Oh you are a master that make this beautiful opal come fully to alive. it has become an stunningly beautiful jewel. I would buy it if I would have the money! thank you for your calm in-depth explanation. I have learned so much from it! thank you from Austria!
Steve, you are indeed the master and my hero. Thank you for the detailed video! I'll be passing this link along to my faceting buddies here in Las Vegas for sure.
The rough stone looked amazing from the start, those opals cut are spectacular and so special, such a beautiful work! You captured the whole of the rainbow 🌈 in the gem!👋😊👍😊💎❤ Hugs from Susanne in Sweden.
Even if I could find such amazing rough, I'd be hard pressed to afford a carat or two :( It turned out way better than I thought it would because I barely saw any color in the rough stone. It is amazing the difference and level of improvement this choice of facets achieved. Nice Stone. WTG Mr. Moriarty
Whoa!! That looks incredible. I have a few faceted opals in my collection and they are some of my favorite stones I own. Faceting just adds so much beauty to an already amazing stone. :) great work and excellent video. Thanks for sharing! Edit: misspelled a word.
