Black Opal BONUS! – From Lightning Ridge

Black Opal BONUS! – From Lightning Ridge

In this video, a black opal from Lightning Ridge that I received as a gift is cut into a nice 3.4 ct cabochon. I also cut a cabochon of fabulous crystal opal from Coober Pedy (3.9 cts). I explain the method of cutting and polishing these beautiful gemstones.

Table of Contents

00:00 – Start
00:15 – Black Opal Rub
00:47 – Black Opal – Defect on Edge
01:19 – Crystal Opal Specimen
02:30 – Plan For Black Opal
02:40 – Plan for Crystal Opal
03:00 – Cutting Black Opal Start
03:43 – Cutting Crystal Opal
05:39 – The Spot
06:16 – Final Cabochon Black Opal
06:34 – Final Cabochon Crystal Opal
07:48 – Outtakes!
08:05 – “Influencer”
09:47 – Mindless Rant
11:54 – Opal Arrowhead King
12:29 – Opalholics Anonymous
13:13 – New Giveaway
13:27 – Rainbow Matrix Cabochon Winner

39 Comments

  1. Gary Burchett on August 30, 2023 at 6:29 pm

    Sitting here with baited breath waiting on the treated opal.



  2. Sandy Simon on August 30, 2023 at 6:30 pm

    I’ll try



  3. Jacob Wallace on August 30, 2023 at 6:31 pm

    I love you channel. I don’t know what it is about opal but I love it. Wish I had to the tools to try it myself /: but someday maybe I’ll invest (:



  4. Anthony Mcclain on August 30, 2023 at 6:33 pm

    Perfect example of your video making, writing, lapidary skills,comedic timing and your generosity… you’re a gift to us opalholics, don’t think your time and effort is lost on us! Thanks again for everything you do for us.



  5. The Yost With The Most on August 30, 2023 at 6:34 pm

    I have never seen a specimen like the Blue Eyed Pea…I had no idea that they could have suck a rich blue color! amazing sir…simply amazing.



  6. Ezhekial on August 30, 2023 at 6:34 pm

    Blue-eyed pea me daddy!!



  7. Nicole VanderBurg on August 30, 2023 at 6:37 pm

    What I took away from this video:

    Paco plays hard.

    also Blue-eyed peas (up my nose, maybe. That seems to be the theme here).



  8. Lisa Miller on August 30, 2023 at 6:38 pm

    That blue is absolutely amazing



  9. gordon mciver on August 30, 2023 at 6:38 pm

    beautiful



  10. Ирина Варехина on August 30, 2023 at 6:40 pm

    Спасибо за красоту.



  11. Red Eye Stones on August 30, 2023 at 6:40 pm

    Still one of my favorite stones. Love the blue. Me, I probably would have either left it as a free stone, or drilled a small hole and made a drop pendant. I’d have to be able to see the whole thing. Love it



  12. Red Eye Stones on August 30, 2023 at 6:47 pm

    Damn, Uncle! Your almost at 50k subs! Good for you man. You really deserve it, and much more. Love your content. Since the first time watching about a year ago, your channel is still in my top 3. Thanks so much for all you do, and always looking forward to more "influencing".

    "Don’t eat yellow snow"



  13. narwhal004 on August 30, 2023 at 6:49 pm

    If I lived near you, I would do as you ask and bring you veggies in honor of our arrowhead king.



  14. trevo daggo on August 30, 2023 at 6:50 pm

    blue eyed pea



  15. Melville Hayes on August 30, 2023 at 6:51 pm

    Beautiful artistry !



  16. Jerry Thomas Dildine on August 30, 2023 at 6:54 pm

    Would you see what you can do with a rough welo opal I have?



  17. Peter Wagenknecht on August 30, 2023 at 6:55 pm

    I am 70, Born in October 1951, & never owned a peace of Opal



  18. J-Roc D on August 30, 2023 at 6:56 pm

    "The Blue Eyed Pea." I’m trying to win an opal again. The stones I see are, as before and so again, simply mesmerizing me. It’s not the prize but the ride. The shaping, the polishing and the smoothing are all sooo soothing. The colors! The fire! Each grind reveals flashes of the future beauty that’s yet to be, as I watch the the sculpting, the forming, the birth, of The Blue Eyed Pea.



  19. mark holland on August 30, 2023 at 6:59 pm

    Don’t know how I missed this one, another good video



  20. Carrie svicarevich on August 30, 2023 at 7:02 pm

    Remember that Dixie chicks song about killing an abusive husband? What did she feed him again?? I think it was poison blue-eyed peas.



  21. DorilithGem on August 30, 2023 at 7:03 pm

    so beautiful



  22. Violet Dusk on August 30, 2023 at 7:04 pm

    I recently moved to Colorado and found out there is a place called opal hill. I hope to find some raw opal but I’m unsure if I will be able to spot it.



  23. Mark F on August 30, 2023 at 7:09 pm

    You’re a fabulous influencer. I am mesmerized with your opal videos.



  24. Justin Trussell on August 30, 2023 at 7:12 pm

    Comment for the algorithm.



  25. Julian Master on August 30, 2023 at 7:12 pm

    face reveal at 50k



  26. David Bird on August 30, 2023 at 7:13 pm

    Sheila is a genius…did she teach you all you know? Is your wife okay with her? Boy, if she had arms…….trouble.



  27. hellyeah66613 on August 30, 2023 at 7:14 pm

    The mindless rant thing is genius



  28. bert tram on August 30, 2023 at 7:15 pm

    i was looking for some good ways to cut and polish… now im trapped. you made me a crazy opalholism…. craaaazyy… best channel !



  29. Sylvia Diaz on August 30, 2023 at 7:17 pm

    Never seen this kind of gem before it is so nice. Realy like your videos . would realy love one



  30. Dr Fill on August 30, 2023 at 7:17 pm

    Just fyi- I am an amateur opal cutter- rarely do I get a stone that has colour all the way across it but I like the character of the lesser stones…



  31. DorilithGem on August 30, 2023 at 7:18 pm

    Nice



  32. Michael G on August 30, 2023 at 7:21 pm

    I got the best comment . Darth Vader Gloves handling Opal.



  33. Patriot Rising on August 30, 2023 at 7:23 pm

    Cool little opal. You say blue on camera however it looks purple. But from the sides of the stone on deeper color bars they do flash blue. Make a spinner setting pendant.
    Funny how they camera can show us stuff you can not see and you can see things in person that we can not.

    I watched Justin cut a black opal which started off around 100 carats or so. He did what he normally does and starts around and the edges until he gets as much of the color bars or bar as possible.
    Anywho to make a long story short. He is grinding off what he says has no color. On camera we are seeing the full spectrum of color play. Well that all got grounded off. Then of course he started grinding on the side he thought would face best. Full of sand and potch wouldn’t you know.
    Bu time he was done however it was one of the finest 0.00009 carats I have ever seen! Actually it was more like 40 something carats on one stone and the other 2 stones came in right over a carat each.
    Beautiful black opals!
    I also have to say kind sir you actually also round up some of the absolute best large stones.
    And the way I look at opals is as follows.
    A opal is best when still in its nice natural state as mined.
    The second best is a large stone that is just basically a rub.
    And 3rd the bigger the better if it has to be cut.
    Last. And cringe worthy to me. Have a large stone that is cut up so much to chase a certain color or cut . And in the end it is a rather small good looking stone I suppose.
    Keep up the most awesome video and keep bringing that humor ( and cat cameo video’s!).
    I am truly glad I subscribed.



  34. sandyra sandyra on August 30, 2023 at 7:23 pm

    Will I get a blue eyed pea? Only if I bend the knee. Blue eyed pea was meant for me? Sure as spit, I guarantee. Ground off. It’s blue! Ground off. Thank you! Ground off, ground off, ground off. Achoo!



  35. SaMM FanSeeSaMe Jammie Fiarris on August 30, 2023 at 7:25 pm

    " Blue -eyed Pea" I like it. Usually I leave you a rather lengthy comment but after binging all day LIKE says it Best. Thanks Colonel once again you nailed it



  36. totengraben on August 30, 2023 at 7:25 pm

    She’s myyy-eye blue eyed pea!
    Shalalalalalalalalalatidah latida…

    Thanks for sharing colonel. Where’s Sheila at? She usually tries to hog the spotlight so it’s a surprise not seeing her.



  37. Jack Clinkenbeard on August 30, 2023 at 7:26 pm

    Our 5-year-old granddaughter loves your blue-eyed pea, loves bling ,and plays a mean game of soccer, You are her hero!



  38. ParanoidPony on August 30, 2023 at 7:27 pm

    Arrowheads out of opal!? Absolute mad lad!



  39. Victoria Cohen on August 30, 2023 at 7:28 pm

    G’day Mr influencer Colonel Crunchy the third, what a magnificent “Blue Eye Pea” you have there, as usual entertaining and educational too.
    Say g’day to Sheila & your beautiful bride, I can only hope that magic piece turns up soon.
    With many source blessings with truth clarity love light laughter joy fun play happiness creativity adventures and may peace be with you all!
    Victoria Australia xoxo