Uncut gem, erupting with color gets cut open and polished 

I think your ability to adapt when the opal doesn't go as expected, just shows your skill as a craftsman.

When you get the right witches hat one day, you should try to carve a nice Mt. Fuji piece where some of the grey or white nobby remains as a snow cap...could be a really cool art piece!

Nice to finally see a freeform 😄 A freeform gives it a more unique and natural look and from what my experience they are getting more popular. I don;t think you will have the lower the carat price for that. I hope you will do them more often! Sometime it hurts to see you removing good opal to make it an oval while it would also have been a good freeform shape.

I want to thank you for always putting out content that is friendly and positive. As someone with severe anxiety disorder it is really hard to avoid news, social media, violence, etc in the world today. When you have anxiety, even simple things like the news can be overwhelming. Your content always helps calm me down and stay positive. Have a great year!

the love you have for your dad is so beautiful. i know he watches down on you & is so amazed at all the beautiful opals you cut!!

Your channel has been bringing a lot of joy into my life during these dark days. Just wanted to say thank you for that.

My name is Justin also and I'm from Minnesota. I love your videos. I used to polish up cool looking rocks and seeing you do these gems gives me a rush. I'd love to get my hands on an opal one of these days to give to my girlfriend. She is soul mate, my twin flame and I can't think of a better gift to give to her one day. Please keep doing this!

A man after my own heart. The thrill of uncovering some nice colour and a good laugh along the way. Nothing better.

Thank you for cheering me up. Since my husband died on December 12, cheerfulness is a blessing.

I love the Blue Greens. This one is no exception, someone will treasure this and who can blame them.

That is such a lovely stone! The way the purple peeks out here and there as you turn it…😍😍😍 Its a beaut!

I absolutely love that free form!! Wish I had 3 or 4 thousand dollars laying around!!! Love your video’s and your energy, I’ve tried watching other opal artists but they pal in comparison to your energy and love of the gem.

Omg 1st Haha what up BOD! You seemed so sad it didn't turn into what you thought but I absolutely love the color and freeform shape you carved out of it, truly gorgeous! Also note I appreciate your Cheesy Goodness it brings a smile to my face and always lifts my spirits, love you guys and keep up the Gouda work!

I personally love free form on opal. It speaks to the seemingly organic, living nature of opal.

How incredible to cut such a beautiful opal out of what looked like a nobby riddled with sand! This is what separates the masters from us inexperienced home cutters :)

Win some lose some. Always a pleasure to watch you cut a gem. Cheers

I only found your channel about 6 weeks ish ago. All I can say is thank you! Thank you for sharing your craft.I bet your Dad would be pretty proud of who you are and the magic you create with these opals. Now my only issue I am currently in the market for a new hobby...... So I have to confess. I just bought my 1st 3 opal parcels and have a small machine arriving soon for me to play with.

great job Justin! I just cut my first two opals and made a video on my channel THANKS TO YOU!! You inspired me to start this incredible journey myself. I truly appreciate all the knowledge and wisdom you are willing to share about this incredible gemstone. You rock!!! (pun intended)

I was hoping you would leave this one free form, such beautiful color. Miraculous how you bring the beauty form a crusty old rock.

Sometimes the stone dictates what it wants to be. I'm glad you saved as much of that color as you could.

Laughing and enjoying life, you've got it Justin. I really enjoy watching you cut opal, it's so interesting.

This video really showcases how much precision and dexterity you have in your hands.

Love that free form shape. Love your free form humor too! Thanks for making my insomnia more enjoyable 💖

Absolutely loved that you let this lovely opal dictate the shape she wanted to be. ♥️ Very professional editing on this video, too. A great experience for the viewers.

What I love about what you do through sharing you opals in video is that it’s thorough and you show the process so well in what decisions you make and what trials you face. And ultimately what choices the stone teaches you to take. Thank you for sharing this with us man.

I love seeing how well your contents coming along, as much as I love the opal, I also come to see how much you have improved and take on critism so well and incorporate it to your new videos/streams. from Improving resolutions on streams and videos, to correct colour grading and weather what type of music works. Many high level youtubers can take a note from your book. keep the stones rolling. (edit 250k this year calling it)

Turned out prettier than I expected. Awesome vision you had there JT!

What a way to start my morning, watching Justin cut an opal and drinking coffee in the lovely Mount Cotton morning sunshine

Grest job. I always hold my breath when your doing witches hat knobbies. They seem to come with sand spells. A beautifully finished stone. In glad it was as good as you got. Be happy, safe and stay healthy in the new year. 😷⚒

Justin, I’m a relatively new subscriber who just recently developed an opal obsession. At 54 I don’t know how it took me so long?! I absolutely love your videos, your sense of humor and your absolute talent at revealing the beauty in raw opal!!

Love the stone! Love the free form. UNIQUE!

Thank you for sharing your witches hat challenge. Very helpful seeing how you approach various problems and hearing your thought process. I haven’t cut many opals so far, but your vids have helped me extract at least a couple really nice gems from super sketchy rough source material.

I didn't expect that much sand at all. Still cut a gorgeous stone out of it. You have inspired me enough that I know this is something I want to do. Thank you!!

The voice overs are always my favorite part of these videos. They are always so wise and inspiring.

Missed your videos so much. As a recent widow I have made friends with you by techno-friendship. Holidays are very difficult so I am glad to have my friend back in my routine and watching the magic of opal appear in front of my eyes. Your added philosophical points of view, all your talents and nuances, your wit and humor make me laugh, sharing our friendship. Your memories of your father are as true as if I knew him myself, all brought to life by technology. Thank you for sharing. We carry around those that are special to us and our techno-friendship allows this interaction. Our generation is fortunate for this type of communication. Glad to have you back. We're "going in" again with our new 2022 routine together to see where it takes us.

Awesome, You and your Opals. Thank You Boss👍👍👍

Love the opals, and love the philosophy!

What a beautiful stone! I'd love to see it kept in its free-form shape if possible because it makes it more unique I think. Thanks for taking us down the path with you to this lovely jewel (it reminded me of Discworld without the turtle and elephants before you started working on it).

“It’ll be interesting to see how long it last as a free form” hahaha made me laugh 🤣🤣💯

Is that “Crocodile Dundee” background music? Lol. Most appropriate. You had to “wrestle” that stone to submission.

I agree, quirky life makes it much more fun! I really like that free form shape. Very nice indeed! ❤

Great performance Justin- this one had me on the edge of my chair and holding my breath a little - very lovely freeform piece. And yes, all hail the silly people! I salute the sprite in you! :-) Thanks and Happy New Year from Georgian Bay, Ontario! :-)

I just adore your quirkiness 🥰. You remind me a lot of my youngest brother, who is living in Germany 🇩🇪. Thanks for being you. It’s very refreshing.

I sit here in Alaska on my free times watching your videos I do appreciate your passion I totally respect you and your skills thank you for being awesome enough to post these educational films

I thought that first, Justin. This guy is my type of person…. It’s the endless, exquisite beauty that keys it - how can you not laugh, eh.? (thumbs up)

Welcome back. happy new year! I love the freeform. Great job. Not everything in the world should be rank and file, so you did well by keeping it irregular.

The music built up perfectly with the intensity of sand bar.@5 minute mark! Great editing!!

I agree with you. If i can make someone smile or laugh each day, i feel happier. Especially during these stressful times. I like that shape.👍👍👍

I love that freeform! It’s gorgeous. I’m looking to upgrade my opals and you’ve taught me what to look for. Thank you for being you!

That turned into a fantastic stone despite all that sand, and while you had the vision and courage to take that stone into a different, freeform-style in order to get all the gem you could, lesser opal cutters would have ended up with a stone half that size as they just gave up and cut around the inclusions instead. This is why I love to follow your work, Justin. NEVER give in to the easy cookie-cutter way. ;-)

The process is as fascinating as the finished stones!

I love the freeform stones. Watching you work on a "witches hat" was fascinating. I Love your show, it's like watching or reading a mystery story, you never know how it is going to end.

Yay! Something good to watch! Welcome back!

Great save Justin ..........an interesting gem as it stands in freeform....... i like it !

Nature's way is having a sense of humor ,great job J

Love you Justin! Can't wait to be able to get down to Australia and show you my suite of the Rainbow Serpant's Family! I have 4 of them 😱

First time I saw you do a free form. It's wonderful!

I haven't watched one of your Opal cutting videos in awhile, I was drawn in by how beautiful the uncut Opal was - this is my favorite Black Opal Direct video, I found it educational!

Beautiful opal to start off 2022! Can't wait to see the new space 💜 and everyone needs to take a leaf out of your book of life and have more fun 😉

l love🥰 watching a master cutter at work😋👀.....Thanks Justin.....👍...🇺🇸

Lovely gem and some good life philosophy. I'm the same, in that I take what I do (professionally) very seriously but myself, much less so. Thanks for sharing and happy New Year to you and all at Black Opal Direct.

Great job on the video editing and what beautiful color!

We love them all. Thanks for another awesome video and the best year for the BOD crew yet coming up.

Wow! Wish I can afford a beautiful opal like this, but I'd want a big opal! I love the black opals and the boulder opals best!

Thanks Justin and congratulations on getting such a beautiful stone under trying conditions. I really enjoyed your new way of filming and editing this video, it’s fast paced and easy viewing. Thanks again mate and I’m looking forward to 2022 and more of your great stories and gems. 👍🏻

❤ I like the new digs! Comfy feel, just like the old place. 😁

Hi Justin I just discovered your channel recently and you have reignited my passion for gemstones. Every time this happens to me I convince myself there's no way I can enter this market, im too old, too far behind the curve, but your videos give me so much confidence and inspiration to pursue this hobby and possible source of income. I am in awe of the tools and techniques on display here on your channel, thank you so much for the work you are doing.

Stunning mate ! I also admire your Outlook on life. Mine has been down and you make me smile and laugh every video. Love from USA Pa. ❤️

Ooo Justin...im starting to preempt you moves... wonderful teacher. Im vicarious cutter!..x

This opal reminded me of a volcano when you sanded off the top and the color exploded up. Thank you for a great break in the day. Your channel mesmerizes me like the best ASMR. Opal is such a beautiful thing. Happy New Year 🎆🎊🎈

Has anyone ever asked you to include music and arty shots? You have built a wonderful chanel showing opal cutting, that people like. There is no need to complicate the video editing but adding music and distance shots.

Those words of wisdom at the end are one of the many reasons I love yah brother stay safe, live life light ❤

yeah !!!!... back to restfull night sleeps it takes me 3 nights to watch a new episode on your channel.... so so peacefull

Love the freeform. Uniquely following the start Mother Nature gave the gem.

Awesome to see the old studio one last time. Beautiful stone mate

I love it exactly as is. Love that blue-green

Justin, your cinematography has gotten Much better. It really Wows'!!!

Very pretty! And I like the free-form shape.

Nimbus 2001 ? A witch master needs a proper broomstick, eyh ? Awesome kind of humour ! 🤩 I am watching all of this on my 70 cm monitor. This way, it is even more painful to see how much of the actual stone is getting cut away in the process. Still, I am so happy to see it in this "natural" shape. I'd have it set like this in a ring anytime! Live is not only too short for being serious all the time, it is far too short to cut down to "norm" what was formed so awesomely colourful by nature in thousands of years. I guess I have put black light mining (or rather searching the leftover piles) for opal and then learning to cut it myself on my bucket list. This is so awesome to watch. I'm a fan!

Love the freeform it turned out to be stunning, would make a great pendant!

Wow!!! It looks great! Who knew that was under the witches hat haha

Ive been watching on TV so signed in when you said you needed subscribers.. I love the site you are a great cutter and love to watch you figure then out!! Im always in the market for rough so send some photos and Im game. you guys are the greatest, you just stand upside down and drive on the wrong side of the road, you'd fit right in in Rollinsville Co. cheers!!

Lovely stone to open the year with. I certainly love the quirky, and weird. Normal is just a little too scary for me lol Happy New Year to you all xx

Happy new year! I absolutely agree, life is too short to be a miserable bastard! Which is my favourite saying along with "the world always looks better from behind a smile".

I enjoy watching Justin, good-humored and creative is he, and do hope to be fortunate enough to venture out to Lightning Ridge, 🦘 Australia this Happy New Year 2022! Blessings C J Zamisz, Denver, Colorado

So happy that you’re back!

Happy New Year Justin 🤗 No big celebrations here in Scotland, but enjoyed the TV fireworks especially from Sydney harbour!💕 Thanks for sharing, love those witchy hat shapes, I can feel the tension as you polish it away! Still a beautiful Opal with delightful colours you have revealed. Such a talent. Best wishes to you & your family, & all the viewers for 2022.💕🐱🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🌌

OMG that opal looks like Mount Fuji!

Happy New Year to you and family, Justin. Thanks again for your valuable instruction.

Always loved the way you think. follow your

I love free form stones. There is something very organic feeling about them. They make you want to touch, turn and admire them. Did give a few creepy moments with the sand. Thought that you were dancing with the devil until the stone came through! Good to see you back. Hoping that you all had a great Christmas and New year. Greetings from Dimboola in Victoria.

This music is perfect! Too bad this wasn’t 100% as good as we hoped, but it is still intensely satisfying to watch the process.

Gorgeous piece

Loved to journey, great to see a freeform. Beautiful stone! Missed your videos over the holidays. Hope you all had a great Christmas and happy new year.

Always looking forward to your videos thank you soo much

Ohhhhhh…. I love the free form !

Wow that turned out awesome thanks Justin

This is a perfect example that just cause there's loads of color doesn't mean it's going to be a huge gem. Opal is deciving looks amazing from the outside but it holds its own secrets as well some are great and some are phenomenal trick is to listen to it as it speaks when cutting it. I often find myself saying not cutting but shaping you shape the stone that it holds within. One thing that amazes me is this rock and ooal haven't seen the light of day in millions of years get ready to say hello. That vibrant green and blue I have a piece that I cut that I got from you it's a triangular pyramid shape and when turned has that same color and brightness. I would like it in a ring setting but also testing the bounds of what cam be done as I want to incorporate a bracelet with a battery and somehow connect it to the ring and have the stone rotate on the ring. Idk if thats even possible but if could be done would make a marvelous ring the play of color is directional so the stone to be moving would be amazing bit I've never seen anything like that but a clock or watch use parts and rotates in a circular motion so I ha e to believe it cam be possible. It's It's project for sometime just don't know if it's right now

Felt like I waited an entire year for this video

Looks like a volcano. That's pretty cool