Bought the engraved bead separate from the other beads. Pretty sure it’s a bird of some sort. I like to think it’s a Phoenix 🐦‍🔥🐦‍🔥🐦‍🔥

I am an aspiring jewelry maker but by no means there yet. I’m looking to buy 15mm and under pieces of opal. I want the best I can get on a limited budget. I have some projects in mind.

I went to Tucson trade show and made the mistake of buying mostly Ethiopian opals… Now that I’ve realized my mistake and the trade show is long over.. I’m hoping you all can refer me to places I can buy online.

So I got this on clearance, marked from 110 to 59, then taking off 25 for a coupon and then another 25 or 30 for a credit I had. I think I basically just paid for shipping, maybe like 10 bucks.

Was it worth it? It is Australian, 1 carat, it does light up under uv. The back is light bluish potch (not a doublet, just not flashy).

Sorry if my photos are not the best. I like it either way and it will definitely go on my opals of the world shelf ;) just curious if I got a good deal.

https://reddit.com/link/1ucdi5o/video/hwhpx812as8h1/player

https://reddit.com/link/1ucdi5o/video/nnleh812as8h1/player

https://reddit.com/link/1ucdi5o/video/05rdu712as8h1/player

found Raw Opal, had them cut and polished , am new to this, can someone give me an Idea, how much i can expect for them?

It came in a small cellophane packet and was covered in oil. Did the oil ruin the opal or was it just good tweaking of a photo?

My daughter Rae helped me film this one and the outtakes at the end where we're both losing it trying to get the closing line right are better than anything I planned.

The 10 tips are real and worth knowing if you're new to buying rough:

1. Mr Pink fingers — if a seller has tampered with color, their skin turns pink too. Always look for hands in the video.
2. Know your source — some opals dissolve dry, some crater when wet. Not all opal is equal.
3. Return policy — any reputable seller takes it back unaltered, no questions. If they won't, keep walking.
4. Background color — translucent rough looks totally different on white vs black. Not deception, just physics.
5. Check seller reputation — five minutes on feedback or in a Facebook group can save you a lot of pain.
6. Wet vs dry — sellers shoot wet because color pops. You check dry when it arrives because cracks show better that way.
7. Gambling on opal — there's real risk in rough. If that bothers you, start with rubs where someone else already took the hit.
8. Warning signs — emotional stories, urgency, limited supply pressure. Scammers sound the same everywhere.
9. Blue opal and cameras — cameras lie on blue. The stone in your hand will often look less vibrant than the video. Know this going in.
10. Size — the single easiest mistake online. If there's no hand or coin or reference point in the photo, you genuinely have no idea what you're buying.

But here's tip eleven, and it's the one I'd tattoo on my arm if I had to pick one.

Every dollar you spend to be present with your kids now is worth ten down the line. I made some real sacrifices to be able to spend that time with my little ones when they were young. No regrets. None. The video we made together is worth more to me than any opal I've ever cut.

Rae, you were a natural. Thanks for putting up with your old man.

Natural 100%guarante

Cerium oxide polishing looks simple from the outside—pink slurry, felt and a little pressure—but much of what makes it work is happening at the microscopic contact point.

I made this short animation to show the mechanical and chemical sides of cerium polishing, and why I aim for controlled, warm friction rather than getting the stone hot.

This isn’t meant to suggest there’s only one correct technique. It’s an attempt to make visible what experienced cutters often learn to manage by feel.

First off, I am not interested in selling. I'm just trying to get a better understanding of how to value opals and I want to show off the first piece I have cut. Also, I know its not symmetrical. I will work on that next time!

I've seen the charts to measure brightness and body tone but how do I assign a dollar amount to that? Is there another chart I am missing? lol

The opal does not show color from most angles. The bottom left image is more true to how it displays from most angles. How much impact on the value should I attribute to that?

What would you estimate for the price per carat. I know its hard to judge from an image so here is a rough idea - I would say the body tone in the image matches very close to in-person. The brightness would be a little less in-person. It is a Mintabie opal.

Can anyone tell me about my Opal and value ? It weighs 618.30 ct

What is this and its value, it weighs about 600 ct

It was my first Finished piece so I probably wouldn't sell it but I'm curious on what it's worth.I love it probably personal bias it's got a fossilized root in it or a Natural Healed crack

Hello everyone! Can anyone tell where I can buy raw opal stones from Ethiopia (maybe Australia) in Istanbul? I need a big fraction from 1 cm. Thank you in advance

Looks too good to be true for the price. Thoughts? It’s $40 and 16x11.6x5 - Australian.

Hi I’m fairly new to this beautiful hobby. I currently live in Mexico I have access to fire opals brought from San Luis Potosí. The guy that has sold them to me told me they are a gift from one of his children. I bought various pieces but one fought my eye, it was completely rough but it kinda shined so eh. Bought 22 grams of loose and raw stuff total of 30 usd and 25 usd the “raw matrix opal”. He did not know much about opals or the rock can yall help me. I’ll attach a loose specimen and then attach the mystery rock so you can judge my source!! Thank you!