Cutting a Huge 625ct Rough Opal into a Faceted Gem! #opal #gemstones #jewelry

[Moregems]

Let me begin by letting you know that this type of Ethiopian opal is unlike the hydrophane opal from Ethiopia which is beautiful, vibrant, stable and wearable in jewelry. This on the other hand, is a type of non-Hydrophane crystal opal and is a collector gem which can not be worn in jewelry. I say collector gem because it must he stored moist. If it is allowed to dry out for an extended period of time, the surface will begin to craze (crack).

At the time about 4-5 years ago, the material was fairly new and this rough was sold to me dry and it looked very promising. It was very transparent (in comparison to the Hydrophane material) and had some interesting colors to it. I cut a couple of the smaller ones first and they were stable for a few months to almost a year, but then began to craze. It was a bummer because one of them was already sold and I had a mounting for it. When it was going to be set our jeweler noticed the surface was starting to craze.

That said, I really didn’t feel up to cutting the larger one until now. I thought it would be an interesting gem when finished and if I store it wet when it should remain in tact. This is the cutting process and final result of this non-Hydrophane crystal opal from Ethiopia.

Unfortunately at this time, we dont have any techinques to stablize the crystal opal material from Ethiopia. Either way, it is an amazing and beautiful faceted gem that can be appreciated for what it is!


Edit: Many people are discussing the yield that I got from this piece of rough. While it seems like a lot, it is within range of what I find acceptable when cutting to ideal angles. Typically I want to get 30% to 50% on any piece of rough. This one I got about 31%, which I am good with. Would I have liked to have gotten more, sure, but this piece had a couple of fractures (one big one) and some deep inclusions that needed to be removed to cut a clean gem. That said, on the larger scale, it seems like quite a bit, but I would expect the same on a 1ct gem giving me a .31ct stone. When possible and worth it, I do trim to save any material for additional gems to cut. Are there ways to save weight for a larger gem? - Yes, but it will not be as brilliant, would most likely window, and wouldn’t be as beautiful or desirable as a finished stone.

[JacobE-]

End result was beautiful! Me personally i would have left it raw like it was though, what a unique looking texture it had!

[Valenayt]

You’re very talented. To be able to bring forth this stones inner beauty. A real craftsman. Nice work.

[Cliffworks]

This is the 1st time in my life that ive actually felt something looking at a stone.

[dunki-dunki-dawg]

Opals are the most beautiful stones. The play of colour can be mesmerising even on affordable stones. I really want to own a few please.

[dssrkr]

The unpolished and the polished both are gorgeous 😍

[tobascoheat]

That turned out so beautiful! My goodness!! I read your full comment, and from that I realized that this isn't just a hobby interest. You have a volume of both knowledge and applied experience, which only comes from many, many years of work in that field. Thank you for sharing your artistry here. ❤️👍

[Nina_Nikita]

Nie ma słów żeby opisać jak piękny jest ten kamień! Niesamowita praca włożona w wyszlifowanie tego cuda!

[Iridiumrock]

That is beautiful!! I have never seen an Ethiopian opal that big or transparent! It is truly a beautiful stone

[albarkoseyalmagrahy-jkuj]

😮😮😮أووه هذا الأوبال الاثيوبي الافريقي في غاية الجمال والاناقه حقاً. تحية لأفريقيا ولأخواننا في إثيوبيا علي هذه الموارد والثروات الطبيعية التي لديهم وتحية لك علي عملك المتقن هذا لقد قمت بتشكيله وصقله بطريقة فنية رائعة حقاً أحسنت ياعزيزي في عملك هذا 👍💯👍💯🙋🙋🙋💚💚😮🫂💎💎👏👏👏

[tabathasmith]

Gorgeous!!! Opal is one of my favorite kind of stones!!!

[todo]

It turned out absolutely spectacular!!

[reidthebigcheese]

Your taste in music is divine. I’m hooked on these videos man

[laurainekhin]

thank u for ur devoted work. I see a true professional by looking at your hands. I truly respect older generation. thank u so much for ur effort for turning it into more valuable gemstone.

[cherylhaass]

Beautiful!!! During my “gap years” before college, I dabbled in semi precious gems (making agate cabuchons), so I know what skill and patience are needed for this work.

[JennaLeigh]

I ADORE opals! They're also my birthstone. Watching you create this stunning faceted gem....you are a master of your craft, sir. Thank you for sharing your hard work and talents with us!❤

[rachelhatchet]

Opals are the most gorgeous stone you will ever see! You cannot change my mind on that! ❤

[KarenSchultz-jd]

That’s the most beautiful opal I’ve seen. So many colors!

[viktoria_rod]

how beautiful! you have hands made of gold!

[barbdiamond]

I've never been a fan of opal but that is about the most beautiful stone I've ever seen and I've seen a lot of stones... Congratulations you've got a convert