IDENTIFY Your Opal: Australian vs. Ethiopian
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.พ. 2025
- In this video, I show ways to EASILY IDENTIFY identify the origin of most types of opal and also show how to tell if your opal is synthetic. I cover Australian opal, including Lightning Ridge Black Opal, Coober Pedy Opal, Mintabie Opal, Andamooka matrix opal and boulder opal. Other opals, including Ethiopian Welo opal, Brazilian Opal, and Virgin Valley opal are shown.
The tests involve using Ultraviolet light to determine fluorescence and phosphorescence and the lick or finger test to test whether you are dealing with hydrophane (water-absorbing opal).
People who haven’t subscribed are missing out. The humor and quality here are unparalleled
i couldnt agree more. i wish this guy was my neighbor, so i could go kick it with him on the weekends.
@Baked And Afraid why would you even say something like that?
@Baked And Afraid no worries. Just curious. I remember saying something super positive about the guy, and your comment seemed so negative. Different strokes for different folks I guess.
@Baked And Afraid ya,no hard feelings in any way. Was just confused. Its early, and I had a LONG day yesterday. So my synapses weren't firing properly. No worries, bud. Be well.
I didn't like his humour and his channel when i first found it...I hated anything fun or humorous at the time. Now I am getting a healthier mind and outlook on life I am in agreement. His humour and channel is pretty damn good for the soul.
Cut my first two Australian (Coober Pedy) opals today after about a week of worrying if I’d ruin them. Thanks for being an inspiration and a source of education Colonel 🙏
Nice, get into Lighting Ridge high quality material then! The stress is comparable ✌️😁
@@LawrenceMacMacster that’s the plan! Already got a couple ounces of practice material on the way!
Sir, I hope you understand just how delightful your videos are. I adore your sense of humor, how you share Paco with us, and of course the lovely work you do!!!
gee ... such nice comments!I missed them back then. I sure appreciate the nice words!
Hahahahaha I chuckled all the way through this.
Bruh... I love your sense of humour.
And Shielas 😂
See, Kira .... I told you that I read them all! (eventually .... maybe....)
@@PulitzerOpal you’re a good man.
I talk a lot though, so hope you have loads of free time. 🤣
Sheila I would like to congratulate you for your patience.
Working with a " Special person " can be challenging.
But again you are working hard and your personality is what makes this channel work.
I know that you probably won't have time to reply with all the work your coworker puts on you.
I agree with you 100% that you are the only expert around the world That's true teacher..👍👍👍
Thank you for another informative and fun video. Regards from Scotland.
You are a breath of fresh air! And obviously extremely qualified to comment on the subject of Opal! Thank you! I stumbled across your video while trying to determine if I have a real antique 5 Opal ring. Looking forward to watching more of your content!
Only 8 months .... you can send me a photo and I'll try ....I hope that your dog didn't eat it! I love dogs, but .... cats don't eat opal. With a big silly dog ....... dinner is served! info@pulitzeropal.com
Hello again! Here’s my question...Do you know that the world is a better place because of your videos? 💎
for welo the water test may not work so well if the stone if polished or faceted, it works great on rough
What's the story of how you got Paco? I asked because of how I ended up with my cat, Tuna. She was a stray kitten in the parking lot where I had just moved after a cold winter. Once the pandemic started, it was better for both of us to be together! I could keep this smol kitty safe and fed while she could give me much needed company. Lured her to the door slowly by feeding her canned tuna, and took her in one day!
Colonel, I subscribed after the first video of yours that I watched! " Bruh Seriously who wouldn't?" I also try to comment, because it helps the algorithm. Thank You for the public service announcement.
Thanks for the nice comment. Sorry that I took so long to reply!
This channel gives me so much joy.
My question is: Where have you been, young man? (tapping foot)... 😆 I was worried, you know, with all this craziness going around...
Bingo!!! Me too, this guy makes me happy and I'm into that but his videos are so far apart
But worth it ,when Shiela allows! the poor defenceless Gentleman. 🏴😁👍🏴
Okay. I have been pretty good about hitting the 3 week mark lately. I cannot do them faster, because I will get in SEVERE trouble with my wife! They take me about 2 weeks, so every 2 weeks would be 24-7-365.
My wife pointed our UV light at me and pronounced I was fake. She's trying to see how to send me back. Be safe and stay healthy 😷⚒
I'd be looking for a new wife.
😆
“Bruh!” 😂
But did she wait to see the green afterglow? I doubt it! She will have to wait to ship you "back!"
Have you ever tried cabbing Labradorite? I've got some big chunks and it's very directional, making it challenging to face it properly in a setting.
One of my absolute favourite stones.. have 2 bits of rough and one small polished globe.. utterly stunning formations
Just FYI
Recently many Ethiopian opals have been found to be treated with a polymer impregnation, seemingly in efforts to stabilise the otherwise notably hydrophane material, this treatment isn't widespread, but, when present will greatly reduce or eliminate the previous hydrophaneity entirely making the lick test ultimately unhelpful in discernment.
Also, whilst fluorescence and subsequent phosphorescence are quite common in australian white, crystal, and, even some black opals, it should be remembered that there are exceptions, australian opals come in many varieties from many different locations, and, with such variety, it should be noted that some australian opals be they white, crystal, or, black containing higher than average iron concentrations, and, not forgetting the lesser known australian opals of volcanic origins all may show different results under UV tests than their more common sedimentary counterparts.
I recently subscribed because of your excellent sense of humor but have also learned so much about opals in the interim. So…..thanks for the memories. 👏👏👏😂👏👏👏
I enjoy your videos: cats, outrageous statements, slight walk backs, tongues, science, rants....
Who else has such mastery of the craft?
Also, I really enjoyed the increased playback speeds in some areas as well as the apparent deletion of short segments of time between words in some parts of the video. It really focuses my attention. (They've done studies on how human minds can easily comprehend when playback speeds are increased significantly. Just don't ask me who "they" are. If I tell you they may hurt me)
@@PulitzerOpal the primary reason I love your channel. We are too much alike, I fear.
@@PulitzerOpal weeeeeelllll
I won't disagree with you, but I'm no angel.
@@ThatOpalGuy Calm down, TOG! You're thinking too much today .... and by "today," I mean 2 years ago! dp
i have a question for you: what was the biggest challenge for you when first learning how to cut/set opals, and how did you overcome that challange? thankyou
Reading the stone for proper cut angle is hardest for me. Getting the most color play. I've cut some, as I'm forming the cabochon dome noticed that had I cut it at slightly diff angle or even the other side I'd have gotten better results. Looking at a pc of rough & determining the proper (axis) & angle is toughest for me. You really can't see what's inside till you get there. But as you gain experience you can tell more easily.
Like looking a log & seeing the pattern. End cut you get growth rings. Side cut you get grain, if you slightly cross angle cut a log, you get growth rings & grain pattern. Best analogy I've got.
I’m really glad to have come across your channel. Learned a few things about opals from watching a few of your videos already. Thank you so much for your funny but very informative content. You just helped me discover what type of opal I have on an old ring! 😊
You're very welcome! I'm glad to hear that my videos have been helpful in identifying the type of opal you have on your old ring. If you have any more questions or if there's anything else you'd like to learn about opals, feel free to ask. I'm here to help! 😊
That does not sound like me!, yessie! I never use emojis, for one. But you can ask me. I think that my cousin got the keys to the computer and started saying idiotic stuff! AND ... that comment is WAY TOO polite! I never say, "you're very welcome" .... never
@@PulitzerOpal Yea seems a bit out of your character. Haha, I also believe you with the emojis, maybe it was Sheila! She is always up to no good 👍 😆
This is the quality content all of us need right now
Just found your channel and you are pretty funny! Lol that’s good! I realized as you were talking that your voice reminds me of my great grandfathers voice, he died like 55 years ago but I still temper his voice and what he looked like even though I was like 5 at the time, so thank you for the good memory I guess 😆. That’s really interesting how the opals will turn blue them green. There must be some kind of phosphorescent in them for them to do that. Another reason Australian opals are special.
Was you grandfather from south Louisiana? (new orleans area)
@@PulitzerOpal nope he was from Wshingont State. Im still watching your channel! Love your sense of humor.
Wow top 10! How's it goin I haven't watched in a while but glad to watch when I have time and now that I'm off work for the summer I got lots of that. Beautiful Stones! (giggidy)
Appreciate the info, love your high witted humor. I have not subscribed to a channel in years but yours sir, i wish i discovered and subscribed sooner.
I hope that you are still subscribed, C! Sheila is checking up on all of my subscribers! I suggest that you not answer your door!
I love your voice! But I can't picture your kind face! Thanks for the time and effort you put into your videos:-) please film yourself talking one of these days. Unless you already have and I didn't see the video
Quick question: What is the proper way to care for opal jewelry?
Lick them, didnt you watch the video?
@@Leafbinder Your answer made me lol.
Are you still making arrowheads and if so would you show some of your personal favorites on a video?
@@PulitzerOpal I love em
*Give Away Question:*
What is the best type of equipment a new opal cabochon crafting enthusiast on a budget would need to buy? For example..........an all in one grinding / cutting system or separate equipment?
Are there ever opal parcels for sale that haven't been windowed by the miners,if so how do i purchase them?Really like your videos,i find the very informative. Thankyou!!!
Write the miners. We know when a a parcel is better or worse & sell the worse odds sight unseen & the better odds all rubbed, just saying. Its a volume thing for the big boys. Which is why the middle men buy them out & regrade it to resell retail. see some of the listed descriptions for variety compared to cost per oz then per gm.
@Fun With MineralsI know ,i would like to be the first one to look into a stone thats where the real fun is.I would try to mine my own but i got a bad back that makes it impossible. Thanks for responding.
@@ResortDog thanks,really appreciate.
@@tombrooks3812 No worries. I wish most of them were no soso opals as they come to light, but it beats the wheel barrels of dead woods.
@Fun With Minerals I'll try to find the name and see what happens .Thanks much appreciated.
Bruhhhh this channel is fire. Lots of confusion to come once people start describing opals as fire as a marker of caliber and not type.
That's too hot for me to touch .... and you wrote it two years too early!
Very interesting vid sir, glad you shared again. 👍👍
Can you tell me, please, what color code of this dark red synth opal? op20? It looks very impressive for me.
I didn't know that tests like that exists! Thanks I'm almost sure that I will use them in the future.
Because of you, I have started collecting opals. I have mintabie, lightning ridge, Boulder, coober pedy and Ethiopian. What would suggest I collect next? Love your videos! And Sheila! And your lovely wife and nephew. ❤️
How about Virgin Valley Nevada opal?
@@tombrooks3812 You may want to try Indonisian wood opals. Palm wood, bamboo root, is stunning black opal. Extremely expensive for good play. Theres diff types of Ethiopian. They're "Hydrophane". But there's yellow, orange fire, white base colors, clear jelly, chocolate( highly unstable but gorgeous esp honey comb pat) .Very rare Natural black Ethiopian opals( not smoked, they're enhanced garbage). Just as diff types of Aussie.
Not all opal has color play. They are most popular. Dendric opals, Blue, green opals of Brazil. Mexican fire opals, many types of U.S opalized wood, Nevada NM AZ Col.
Edit: Aussie opals w most red in them, are most expensive & rare. Black w Lighten blue my fav.
There's diff patterns. Mackerel. Chaffe, honeycomb, rolling flash etc. Collect examples of each.
@@PulitzerOpal Thank you for the suggestions ❤️
@@roberttyrrell2250 Thanks for the suggestions.
@@PulitzerOpal Hi sorry Not sure why I don't get all the responses. YT Algorithm (??)
I have a few contacts I'll pass your name / contact on if thats OK? I never give out ppls info w/o OK. That way You can deal w them direct.
I'm really glad I'm already a subscriber. I'm not sure I'd pass the interview with Sheila. My question is, what's your favorite opal that you've cut?
Yaaaay! You're back😻
Thank you Doctor Opal!
You must have caught me after a break.... I guess!
This video made me lick my opals...🤣🤣
Does it taste good?
Bahaha same
I learned more here today than if I wouldn’t have watched
Truth.
How long have you been working with opals? And did you practice on other stones before you gained enough confidence to work with opals?
Why do people not subscribe, how can they see you once and not subscribe. Surly The Most Lovely Sheila is enough to make the most ardent person subscribe but with your good self explaining,in very clear terms ,information that's just not available ANYWHERE ELSE . How can they not. Madness I tell you,pure madness 😠🤯🤪🏴😁🏴
your youtube channel is very informative. i have no questions about that!
BULLY! Good show old chap! Way to wax the ol’ wicket!
Dude honestly, can’t say it enough. I saw your vid pop up on my notifications this morning and couldn’t wait to get home and get my Pulitzer fix! And of course you never disappoint good sir!
For the give away... pineapple or no pineapple on pizza??? I’m impartial myself, I just wanted to get my entry in there 😉 cheers bruh! 🤣
I’ve missed you bro. Ya. I’m old school. Anyway, I have but one question, what started your fascination with these beautiful stones?❤️🇨🇦
What is Sheila's favorite brand of lip stick? Asking for a friend.
You’re sure doing a lot of giveaways colonel 😎 As always thanks for the awesome video 👍
Enjoying your vids! Keep it up bruhhh..
Btw is will hydrophane opal loses it’s colour (after it’s dry) if it gets in contact with water too much? Also where does hydrophane opal is usually found?
Did you ever sell an opal that you regretted selling... later. Love all your videos. And yes I'm subscriber.
My question is can you use one of those light out on opalton opal fields because in your video boulder opal did to shin. Top video
That phosphorescence... bruh...
I was always under the impression opal was fluorescent. I didn't know about the phosphorescence, or that both depend on the type of opal. Fun fact (if you do not know), both phosphorescence and fluorescence occur when the impurities/dopants in the gemstone absorb energy from incoming light, excite the electrons inside the material, and then those excited electrons then reemit a portion of that energy as light (often in a different wavelength). Its the impurities themselves, and how they are bonded inside the structure that matter. A cool example of this are sapphires and rubies. Both of them are crystalline aluminum oxide. The chromium impurities that give rubies their distinctive color cause a bright pink fluorescence from UV light, but the iron and titanium impurities that give blue sapphires their color usually don't. I think I will go dive through some text books and try to figure out why the Australian opals act so differently than the others.
As always, an entertaining and educational video. Keep up the good work.
Yay great to see you back, have missed your content, how did you fall into the opal business
@@PulitzerOpali have replied to your email hunni, sorry such an open ended question, i meant, what made you decide to work with opal? I can imagine, after watching your videos I can see how expensive opal is,
What are the necessary essential tools if i want to start doing what youre doing with opals or any other stones..
Hello Sir, what a great content!
I have a question, how should I store my Euthopian Opal's ring? Should it wet or dry?
Definitely subscribed bruh. Keep up the good content.
NEW SUBSCRIBER! I saw one of your videos for the first time and loved it. Useful information, great sense of humor and a well done video.
Now for the question;
What else does a guy need?
Great Video ,really interesting and Great tips , my question is this , I tried to polish some boulder opal with cerium oxide and the Ironstone went a sort of foggy white colour , yuk , what is the best way to polish it ?
This video was funny, and i learnt about the water/saliva stick test and the fluorescence of diff types of opals.
I came to your site 'cause my daughter lost the opal in her ring and we're either gonna get a stone or go to a jeweler and get it, and then have them mount it in the four prong setting. Thanx Bro.
Where is the best way for newbies to get opal?
Glad I found you in the giant TH-cam world 🌎
I am getting ready to jump into opal cutting. My granddaughter is really into her rock collection because of me and I want to take it to the next level. What is the best source of decent opal to get started with?
There is much too much sophistication here for my sensibilities haha!!! I'm so happy to see you again!!
Boy, I must have been gone a loooonng time .... maybe 5 weeks (I think that is my record!)
Gooday Brah!. Why do you think it is i keep wondering where my old cobber from across the globe( debatable for flat earthers) has got to when i search for more opal videos? love your work as usual mate..cheers from aust.
bruh i just discovered your channel by chance. you’re such a funny chap. pls tell sheila i already subscribed but sr i wont do an interview w her
and lastly congrats my fellow viet that won the giveaway
Just curious can opal chips and powder be placed in a resin solution to mold jewelry. Would it even look good?
How come my Welo didn't stick when I tongued it? Did they sell me some Aussie material by mistake? You mentioned it to me a while ago. I think I'll have to go grab another and try it again...
Man you crack me up 😂😂 absolutely love your channel. Opals and making me laugh so much🤜🤛
I've decided to take your advice trying my weekly......bruh.... Yes we do to listen to the end it's one of my fav. Parts of the video! Shout out to Shelia! Love yur hair! So here's my question to enter the contest, and yes it's probably stupid but worth a shot I'm sure you been asked a kazillion( new word ?) Times..... So where does your samples come from? Are they personally mined, someone mine 4 u, samples ppl send u, or do you order them.? Stuff like that..... Thanks again and can really relate to the comments with this language 😜! I use Google 2 ain't no shame in the 🎯 game! Always a pleasure to watch and thanks looking forward to see I'm Shelia material.🤣😆😱 Here's fingers crossed! Your subscriber- Shelly Stultz
Would you rather go by the " Maestro of the Flake" or the "Flakemaster General"?
My Ethiopian opal fluoresces dim blue with slight phosphorescence. I did apply a Hoya filter to my long wave uv flashlight, so maybe blocking visible light makes a difference.
Have you ever been to Australia? Did you swing by agate creek and lightning ridge etc?
Thanks for a very informative video! First, the real question - does it matter what frequency of UV light to use (UVA, UVB or UVC), or will any basic old UV light work (think I still have a black light around from the "poster" days!)? Now, the important question - Does Sheila write up your rant sheet? (Hate to say it, but much better hand-writing than your own, or mine, for that matter.)
best 365nm with a glass filter to stop any more visible parts of the emitted light from the led. but yeah the older TL's should work to.. tip: ruby is the most crazy red you have never seen tip 2 if you have 365 nm flashlight, go out in nature at night and be amazed, i've seen frogs with crazy patterns from another dimension and mushrooms glowing bright yellow or orange river lobsters are white same with scorpion's.. don't go look at your toilet, you might get a panick attack instant fear of contamination (if that makes sense in english hahaha)
anything under 365nm becomes dangerous, be careful and read the basic scientific stuff to understand what's killing you
@@runs_through_the_forest Thanks for the information! Over the last year, there have been plenty of handheld "UV" sterilizing wands introduced out on the market; it's a gamble at best how most of those are made, and what their output is, from effectively benign to frying skin. But in the context of examining opal and other elements of nature, I think I'm going to have to pick one up :)
@@paca_bill4863 hi, i don't think these are actually capable of sterilizing much, likely a sales pitch.. most uv flashlights are 395 nm like the one in the video and are safe to use for the most part, for optimal views on a wide range of minerals and fungi 365 nm is the best option in my experience.. there's a bulb from the brand sunlite which is really good to and uses 120v, i have a 6 pack only need to buy a converter from 220v now.. :p
@@PulitzerOpal i'm sorry hope you don't mind my answer, sadly i've never seen a real opal but i do have a nice collection of minerals and really if you have ruby check that out, insane red like a new color.. love your sense of humor btw and you are a true master craftsman! cheers and oh yeah i think you would say something like "dude, where are your clothes?? hej sheila, i saw a weirdo nudist running naked in the forest" 🤣
I'm heading out to lightning ridge today... it's an 8 hour drive away... I plan to pick up mine spoil from the side of the road. There's a chance of good opal there.
Love the channel but not all aussie opal produces fluorescence the stuff from lightning Ridge and white cliffs doesn't really fluoresce like Coober pedey opal
Any tips for polishing and shaping andamooka opal? I just got my first few pieces of it and I'm a bit nervous to work with it 😬
Will you be coming to Tucson next year for the Rock and Gem show sir?
Cool video! Will you show flint napping (opal or not?) And will you consider making a flint napping tutorial? Also, what is your most favorite rough opal piece you still have?
New to your channels so now a subscriber. I highly doubt I will ever have the fortune to be able to own a fantastic Opal......but they are soooo pretty. When were they first discovered and are their uses limited to jewellery and decoration only?
Hey Donald is OPAL the meaning of life? or just the answer? love the videos
Big fan, very new to the scene/hobby and really appreciate having your videos for knowledge and entertainment. Thank you for all the great content and humor.
You can never go wrong with the information that I provide .... (maybe that was "right" not "wrong" - I'll ask my wife ....... wait! My wife say that I use "stupid humor" Better try somebody else!
Big congrats to the winner!!! Brah LMAO I subscribed the first video I watched of you ;)
How long does it take most to be able to make good opal jewelry??
Enjoyed your video and I gave it a Thumbs Up as always
Great video! Perfect combination of information and entertainment. Question.. I am new to rockhounding and would like to start polishing and grinding some of my finds. What piece of equipment would you recommend to start out? Thanks
Have you ever met with Black Opal Direct, and if not, do you plan too in the future?
This is the first video I have seen of yours brah. I subscribed to your channel I learned so much from one video! I think opals are my favorite gemstone but there are so many others I will watch and learn from you even if you are a simp and if you decide to yeet any of your opals send them my way. I’m just kidding brah you have a great sense of humor and a lot of knowledge thank you
What is the most you have paid for a stone that ended a loss and best purchase based on value?
I'm not going to lick either lol..what is the best ultra violet light to use ..i am absolutely in love with black opal's. Are there big difference s in the stones.?
Wow sir. Very nice video. What's your largest piece of opal
Is there a source for non precious opal? I recently aquired a lapidary grinder and would like to practice on the cheap.
Donald love your Videos. Does your wife get upset your spending time in your lab alone with Shelia?
That light test was awesome. Maybe you should write a book about Opals or just one small book on treating Adamooka sp Opal. For the cost between it and the real thing, the colors are amazing!
Love it great humour and knowledge recently bought a smaller piece of Ethiopian opal for 27 on winning bid with shipping is very pretty but can anyone please tell me the major difference between Ethiopian and other like I get they look different react differnt sometimes but when it comes to the cost why is Ethiopian so little?
So I need to get a uv light to test the australian black opal ive just bought?
Do you have conversations with Sheila? You know communicating is key right
For a good relationship, yes indeed
What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen sparrow?
GOD bless thanks for the good spirit and info...specially about the sugar and acid
Would like to know if you have been to Lightning ridge or Grawin for opals, and love you great work to mate keep it up
Hey!!!! Have missed you so glad your back
I understand why all of these comments are so good. That was when you all thought I was dead ..... and just for being "sixty-something" That was harsh! (But thanks for the nice comment!)
Bruh, you are hilarious! This episode was great bro!
Thanks, tim!
Hey Mr Pulitzer Opal dude, I'm wondering if it is in fact Sheila that writes those word sheets that you scribble on near the end of your videos? Any simp can see your handwriting and
the handwriting don't appear even vaguely similar so, it's either your lovely handless assistants or she's using a pen-in-mouth technique. Which is super impressive because that writing
is super tidy.
Does all type of Australian opal has this blue white fluorescence and phosphorescent ?
I am looking for Australian blue opal. Is it available? Does it show the two light phenomenon? Please let me know
Thanks
Have you ever mined/dug for opals, or do you just finish them?
Have you considered doing flint napping content as well? Do you have any posted currently?