First you gave me the bug!🐞 Then you gave me the your knowledge 📖 And I'm now cutting some of the best gem stones on the planet🌏 Would like to say a big thank you mate, love the videos and hope to see many more ❤
Justin it’s great to see you on the opal fields. You really do come over as a very nice friendly fella and all your videos show your passion for opal, you’re a pleasure to watch mate. 🇬🇧👍👍
This was delightful! Thank you for so much information matched with the beautiful capture of your wonderful countryside. Friendly and fascinating at the same time. I look forward to your next upload.
Wow Justin you have really inspired me to plan a trip from the U.S. to see Lightning Ridge and experience what you have shared here. My surgery on my hands went well and I should be cabbing and faceting again soon. Very soon. Next month I will be going to Oregon and looking for sunstones. But I can really see a trip in the next year or so to Australia and see and experience lightning Ridge. Thank you for sharing this Justin.
What a wonderful adventure! I don’t travel so the closest I’ll ever get to Australia is working on opal. Thanks for the share. It was wonderful to see some of the area! 💗
Mate this was brilliant. Thanks for sharing the beauty and knowledge with us all. I’m planning to head up there soon and I’ve never fossicked for opal so this has helped massively. Thanks again mate! Legend!
Great video. The emu were fun and you probably needed a break by then. I have gone over some spoils piles in Spencer Idaho, but nothing on the scale you were at. It's white opal in super thin seams. If you find something great but if not it's sill a great day. Keep the videos coming and stay ssfe.
Would love to see a video of you sampling opal at source, trying to decide what to buy and generally showing us a side of opal we don't see in your workshop. Fascinating videos you produce and they are a lot more watchable than your competitors. You have a very relaxed style. Keep it up.
Thank you yes I can't show you the source that easily because opal miners don't like the camera so much except for the ones that want to be famous on opal hunters. Most miners keep to themselves
@@blackopaldirect Thanks for the explanation which I fully appreciate. Perhaps it might be possible to show a table top of samples. You could then tell your viewers that one piece is just rock but that a similar piece is worth thousands. I'm intrigued -- and I'm sure many others are as well -- how you tell the difference between ordinary rocks and those that have possibilities. Thanks for running such an interesting site in such a relaxed and professional way. Keep going!
As a tourist I found an opal shell at The Ridge and had it cut in Sydney. It has a yellow harlequin flash crystal opal and was valuated at $ 6,500 in 2005. It think about 10 people stood around me when the stone was cut. Unbelievable to find such a stone on a 9 year old pile of dirt of the drill hole. I wonder how much it’s worth today. It’s the best souvenir of my world trip. The shell was just staring at me bright blue while I was sitting down eating a sandwich.
Justin, as always I Love, Love, all your Videos, and seriously thinking of Flying out from New York to Australia. 21+ hours would be so worth fossicking for opal. TY
I like justin, but I really like Melinda 😁 Great content always, I didn't not look for opal but you are doing a great job mate! I wish I was I Australia..
Hi Justin when I went to the ridge many years ago and stayed at the bluey hotel I did some fossicking near the visitors centre got a few small chips I attempted to drive out to the grawin fields but the corrugations were so bad I thought my car was going rattle lose or I'd blow a tyre so I turned around. Is the road still corrugated ? Seeing those big opal dumps has made me think deffinately another trip most likely next year, never knew they existed I also had emus running along side my car behind a fence when I was there last...such an amazing experience.
I’m out at moonshine half way to the sheep yards roughly from the ridge . Love it out here mining with me old man . Wish I came out years ago . Besides all the thieves and rats it’s pretty dam good
I subscribed for two reasons, obviously i enjoy stones, rocks, fossils, little glorious treasures of elements. Second reason.... you look like you could be bill burrs cousin
Hello there. I am not sure how your channel came in front of me but I have been enjoying it greatly. I wonder where I would find more info on conducting a low-budget prospecting tour in Australia. I have carved a few opals and know a bit of their magic. I want a few for my own collection and will never have the cash to buy even iffy rough. Seems like digging in the dump is my best bet. Plus I have always wanted to visit. Any ideas?
I have family in werribee Australia. And I always wished I went to lightning Ridge when I was in Australia I'm too old now. I used to have a collection of Opals I bought here and there. Somehow the wrong person got into my friends group and now the gone stollen.
Thanks kindly, it’s a plan of mine to go there soon on a little adventure and look around, currently saving my money to do the adventure. How can I please find out more information on anything that would be beneficial to me before I venture?
Pubs like the Glengarry Hilton were unlicensed back in the day. Corrupt cops used to get plenty of kick backs. The police (usually the Dubbo D's) often informed these establishments before a so called "raid" . The cops confiscate a handfull of near empty bottles, issue a verbal warning and take home a bounty of grog. It was all very friendly. The good old days... :)
Great videos mate! Just wondering would you recommend wearing a mask if i plan to do a few solid days noodling on the grawin does it get quite dusty or no need to worry? Cheers mate
Badabing you will never be able to avoid the dust out there. It’s everywhere. If you get effected by dust in your sinuses take a humidifier for night time sleeping. Or saline nose spray. If you are thinking of silica dust don’t worry 😉
Black Opal Direct cheers for the reply mate yeah was more curious about the whole silica dust thing, after watching your other video about changing wheels when cutting. But good to know when it comes to noodling she’ll be right! Safe travels.
Pretty sure I have a message below somewhere bt I can't remember what I wrote Lol, bt this video is SO IMPORTANT to a novice beginner like me, I maybe taking my time getting my lazy ass to Lightning Ridge, bt il get there eventually. It's not about money or greed, I bt I AM hoping to strike it lucky so I can start some long overdue projects I've ad on hold far to long, plus help out some close friends overseas who live in poverty, MAIN reason I'm coming to Lightning Ridge. Even if I'm there 12 months searching in UNORTHADOX places I plan to find something, even if it's small 😁 I've no expectations I'm just gonna have fun searching and if I'm lucky enough to find something significant, than even better 😊
20,000 years from now, archeologists are going to say those Australian civilizations build these huge gravel mounts for some religious experience. It allowed worshipers to walk around looking for opal rocks from the Gods. lol
Ive always wondered lol, did you have any issues driving on the other side of the road when you were in America?? lol I dont think id be able to drive in Australia lol id be all over the road hahaha PS and WOW thats a beautiful place! I really want to see Australia someday.. NOT the city the country! Absolutely amazing!
Subscribed! Your videos are so good ! I really appreciate that you ask to subscribe a very few times but instead focus to make a good video. I'll also probably come in Melbourne in a few months with a holyday working visa. I wanted to know if car is the only pratical way to go to lighting bridge It is also possible to find opals in a mine like you did with your friend somewhere/somehow? like renting tools, equipments, helping with ground control and all there is need to do. At last if I could suggest a little tip, you speak a very understandable english but ...ehm... your friend does not, it would be not a bad idea to add subtitles, I dont know how it works to add them (it shouldn't require any work for you) but also doing it for all the new videos can maybe help a little.
Awesome video, it must have been a blast! I am for sure jealous, I have to visit there one day! If I do, it would be great to meet you and the crew!! P.S. If you could send me like a pound (lb) of the dirt, I will pay you whatever you think would be fair! 😜
Be safe sir...what is it with the flies? Wow, that is a huge expanse of land...ur right , I bet there are thousands of dollars 💵 in opals! Right u dear ur feet 🦶...
The dumps are now closed off to the public, if you are planning to go, please keep in mind you will be told to leave should you enter the dumping site. Farewell to a well loved culture in the opal fields.
I'm single and I seriously think I'm about to move to Australia and live at that dump lol. I would absolutely love to just sift that massive pile for opal all day every day, and if people arent doing it like they used to then there should be lots of material just waiting for me to come collect it.
So! Just went out to The Grawin. No one wanted to point us in the direction of where we could fossick, and the people there told us that you could no longer fossick because the pile was in danger of caving in... However the locals had big piles of opal dust delivered to them personally that had large 'no noodling' signs on them. So pretty much, tourists are being shoo'd away because the locals want the opals for themselves. Also, the place is a dump... There is broken glass bottles lining the roads and tin cans everywhere. The whole vibe is that it's a very greedy place. Not nice at all and not worth the amount of time it took to get there...
First you gave me the bug!🐞
Then you gave me the your knowledge 📖
And I'm now cutting some of the best gem stones on the planet🌏
Would like to say a big thank you mate, love the videos and hope to see many more ❤
Hahah wow and sorry at the same time. I am very touched by your words thank you. and you are most welcome
*I LIKE THAT*
Hey mate. Based my isa undergroundc drillers, Rick Rockdocotors an just a few makes would u be keep for a need and a camp and a poke around?
A thousand years from now people will wonder who built the opal pyramids and what they were used for by those in the past. Fantastic journey!
Hahah that's what I said while filming it
Justin it’s great to see you on the opal fields. You really do come over as a very nice friendly fella and all your videos show your passion for opal, you’re a pleasure to watch mate. 🇬🇧👍👍
Thanks Brian I appreciate it
I love your posts. Funny, serious, adventurous and educating altogether.
I found some then eyed a beautiful one as big as a egg worth 80.000!. Then my wife woke me up I was so mad. Lol Enjoyed!!... One day!.
hahaha
This was delightful! Thank you for so much information matched with the beautiful capture of your wonderful countryside.
Friendly and fascinating at the same time. I look forward to your next upload.
Just Winks I’m so glad you enjoyed 🙏😊
OMG it looks like so much fun in the outback, plenty of Gold and opals in the outback, it makes me want to live there, I absolutely love it there
Excellent video production. Thanks for sharing your beautiful country.
Wow Justin you have really inspired me to plan a trip from the U.S. to see Lightning Ridge and experience what you have shared here. My surgery on my hands went well and I should be cabbing and faceting again soon. Very soon. Next month I will be going to Oregon and looking for sunstones. But I can really see a trip in the next year or so to Australia and see and experience lightning Ridge. Thank you for sharing this Justin.
be sure to get me some Oregon sunstones with schiller in them while you're out there!
Outstanding!! Thank you so much Justin and The Crew. I am grateful for everything you share with us. 🙏
(Kenneth Prospecting Norway)
MrInsaint I’m glad you enjoyed
What a wonderful adventure! I don’t travel so the closest I’ll ever get to Australia is working on opal. Thanks for the share. It was wonderful to see some of the area! 💗
Hi opal girl 😊
Looked like a wonderful day trip! Some day maybe, its on my bucket list!
Mate this was brilliant. Thanks for sharing the beauty and knowledge with us all. I’m planning to head up there soon and I’ve never fossicked for opal so this has helped massively. Thanks again mate! Legend!
you are welcome haha
Great video. The emu were fun and you probably needed a break by then. I have gone over some spoils piles in Spencer Idaho, but nothing on the scale you were at. It's white opal in super thin seams. If you find something great but if not it's sill a great day. Keep the videos coming and stay ssfe.
Randall Marler glad you enjoyed Randall 🙏
Would love to see a video of you sampling opal at source, trying to decide what to buy and generally showing us a side of opal we don't see in your workshop. Fascinating videos you produce and they are a lot more watchable than your competitors. You have a very relaxed style. Keep it up.
Thank you yes I can't show you the source that easily because opal miners don't like the camera so much except for the ones that want to be famous on opal hunters. Most miners keep to themselves
@@blackopaldirect Thanks for the explanation which I fully appreciate. Perhaps it might be possible to show a table top of samples. You could then tell your viewers that one piece is just rock but that a similar piece is worth thousands. I'm intrigued -- and I'm sure many others are as well -- how you tell the difference between ordinary rocks and those that have possibilities. Thanks for running such an interesting site in such a relaxed and professional way. Keep going!
Love Justin’s humour 🤣 & Vids makes me smile & laugh every time.
As a tourist I found an opal shell at The Ridge and had it cut in Sydney. It has a yellow harlequin flash crystal opal and was valuated at $ 6,500 in 2005. It think about 10 people stood around me when the stone was cut. Unbelievable to find such a stone on a 9 year old pile of dirt of the drill hole. I wonder how much it’s worth today. It’s the best souvenir of my world trip. The shell was just staring at me bright blue while I was sitting down eating a sandwich.
Wow-that is so cool!Hope you still have it!
Thats amazing.
Ive arrived at Garwin in the middle of a lockdown, not a bad place to be stuck 😁
Justin, as always I Love, Love, all your Videos, and seriously thinking of Flying out from New York to Australia. 21+ hours would be so worth fossicking for opal. TY
Betty Wilchek you must one day. It’s worth it
thank you for these videos, it lets me live through it all across the world
thanks for a great video! Even if I didn't find any opal, what a great outing this would be with a couple of friends.
I always enjoy seeing your videos Justin!
I used to visit grawin regularly 20 years ago and have found good opal up on the heap noodling with the family
Hey mate next time go at night time with a uv light! The opal glows, will make it heaps easier, good luck and thanks for the vid was a good watch
Yeah I have heard that. Thanks mate
Amazing thanks for the info and u got yourself a beautiful opal in the team too great 😇 she is definitely beautiful and seems fun too ❤️
Wow! Loved this video! Would love to see more vlog-like videos such as this!
glad you enjoyed :-)
Awsome video my favorite rock hounding for gems in new places my favorite
The ol eye opener. Love this Video Juzzy! 👀❤️⛏️🎥
looks like a cool part of the lightning ridge experience
Wow ...really enjoyed this ..just found it .....amazed
Excellent video. I'd like to come down and try my luck at this one day. Maybe, just maybe...
That photo could be an abstract painting with the shadows behind the emus. Would live to try that with watercolors. Fun.
Love the animals there! ❤
🙏praying they have a big come back from the fires.
All fires are now gone. But yes the animals will take some time
@@blackopaldirect I was looking up ways to go out there and mine. Are there any pay by day mines? Specifically in the lightening Ridge area?
Now I want to go somewhere. LIGHTENING RIDGE!!❤️
Justin, you just definitely made me want to go on a roadtrip with you!
I like justin, but I really like Melinda 😁
Great content always, I didn't not look for opal but you are doing a great job mate! I wish I was I Australia..
Hi Justin when I went to the ridge many years ago and stayed at the bluey hotel I did some fossicking near the visitors centre got a few small chips I attempted to drive out to the grawin fields but the corrugations were so bad I thought my car was going rattle lose or I'd blow a tyre so I turned around. Is the road still corrugated ? Seeing those big opal dumps has made me think deffinately another trip most likely next year, never knew they existed I also had emus running along side my car behind a fence when I was there last...such an amazing experience.
adamgc73 the road changes every time I go.
Miss the ridge and the opal show have to get back out there again soon
I have been to the baths in the ridge.
And I have subscribed.
one truth 🙏
Man that looks like a great place to take a vacation for about a month or so.
I’m out at moonshine half way to the sheep yards roughly from the ridge . Love it out here mining with me old man . Wish I came out years ago . Besides all the thieves and rats it’s pretty dam good
Next best thing to being there...Thanks!
Found a couple off shell halfs with opal lovely green
At the dumps??
Yes mate this time last year
Good to hear! Get those opals man!
The wife and i spent a hole week out lightning ridge and want to go back thirst fast thanks man
@@paultherockhound7277 That sounds like a legendary week! I hope you do get back!
damn, that's allot of fly's.
Amazing video
Wish we could get more like this
Look like fun, except for the flies! Ha
Another good video!!
Great video.
Tq for your info n share..🙏👍
Put up a caravan nearby. Take shifts at the "Cottage " Save on travel? Excellent vid mate!
You have a new *SUBSCRIBER*
Yay thank you
I could see my name when you showed the bar 😂
Great info mate love your vids , i will be out at the Ridge on Monday for a week mite bump into you if you still be there cheers mate
Wish I was but I'm back on the coast
Was there and found an opal. Not worthmuch but a priceless memory
I subscribed for two reasons, obviously i enjoy stones, rocks, fossils, little glorious treasures of elements. Second reason.... you look like you could be bill burrs cousin
He is my cousin jks
Hello there. I am not sure how your channel came in front of me but I have been enjoying it greatly. I wonder where I would find more info on conducting a low-budget prospecting tour in Australia. I have carved a few opals and know a bit of their magic. I want a few for my own collection and will never have the cash to buy even iffy rough. Seems like digging in the dump is my best bet. Plus I have always wanted to visit. Any ideas?
Yes the dumps are the best thing to do
Omg..I thought you lived much nearer to lightning ridge...wow
I used to live there but not anymore
Damn, was hoping to see you go fossicking :D..... nice video still, one day I hope I can visit Australia and find some neat opal :-(
Thanks for the video
That was a great video, I'm goin :-)
It's either a race track, or some really mean bugs! I'll stay home and just watch.
I have family in werribee Australia. And I always wished I went to lightning Ridge when I was in Australia I'm too old now. I used to have a collection of Opals I bought here and there. Somehow the wrong person got into my friends group and now the gone stollen.
Thanks kindly, it’s a plan of mine to go there soon on a little adventure and look around, currently saving my money to do the adventure. How can I please find out more information on anything that would be beneficial to me before I venture?
Next time you see Dave give him a kick in the bum and tell him it's from Emma 🥰 I love your videos, they just keep getting better and better.
Thanks Emma long Time no see :-)
Hi Emma, are you single nd looking? 😍
Hi Emma, are you single nd looking? 😍
Enjoyed it immensely! 🤠
Thank you for your response.
Finally ! A video from Grawin fields, hope you didn’t find anything in my mullock 😂
Hahahaha
Pubs like the Glengarry Hilton were unlicensed back in the day. Corrupt cops used to get plenty of kick backs. The police (usually the Dubbo D's) often informed these establishments before a so called "raid" . The cops confiscate a handfull of near empty bottles, issue a verbal warning and take home a bounty of grog. It was all very friendly. The good old days... :)
They are allegedly still corrupt
Wow, Emu’s!? I thought they were in the jungles! Cool sir, thank u!
Great videos mate! Just wondering would you recommend wearing a mask if i plan to do a few solid days noodling on the grawin does it get quite dusty or no need to worry? Cheers mate
Badabing better take one maybe ull use it and if not that’s fine mate its not like a heavy thing better take it than regretting later 😂❤️
Badabing you will never be able to avoid the dust out there. It’s everywhere. If you get effected by dust in your sinuses take a humidifier for night time sleeping. Or saline nose spray. If you are thinking of silica dust don’t worry 😉
Black Opal Direct cheers for the reply mate yeah was more curious about the whole silica dust thing, after watching your other video about changing wheels when cutting.
But good to know when it comes to noodling she’ll be right! Safe travels.
good to see you not at your work bench
Pretty sure I have a message below somewhere bt I can't remember what I wrote Lol, bt this video is SO IMPORTANT to a novice beginner like me, I maybe taking my time getting my lazy ass to Lightning Ridge, bt il get there eventually. It's not about money or greed, I bt I AM hoping to strike it lucky so I can start some long overdue projects I've ad on hold far to long, plus help out some close friends overseas who live in poverty, MAIN reason I'm coming to Lightning Ridge. Even if I'm there 12 months searching in UNORTHADOX places I plan to find something, even if it's small 😁 I've no expectations I'm just gonna have fun searching and if I'm lucky enough to find something significant, than even better 😊
20,000 years from now, archeologists are going to say those Australian civilizations build these huge gravel mounts for some religious experience. It allowed worshipers to walk around looking for opal rocks from the Gods. lol
Hahah true
I love opal
Do more vlogs
Genuinely nice video m8! Buuuuutttttttt, perhaps instead of ~2min of black screen at the end, next time we see maybe one of the opal you found?
Yeah we only found potch this time but I would have if we did
You are very Emuuuuzing!!!
Hi. I have a string of wello black opals. Rough. Do you know where I can get some information about them, and find a buyer?
Debbie Cooper 🤷♂️I dont know I dont deal in Ethiopian opal.
Okay, wow, what is the music you're using while showing me these lovely emus? I love it?
Ive always wondered lol, did you have any issues driving on the other side of the road when you were in America?? lol I dont think id be able to drive in Australia lol id be all over the road hahaha PS and WOW thats a beautiful place! I really want to see Australia someday.. NOT the city the country! Absolutely amazing!
It was a struggle for the first few times but now it is easy
Subscribed! Your videos are so good !
I really
appreciate that you ask to subscribe a very few times but instead focus to make a good video.
I'll also probably come in Melbourne in a few months with a holyday working visa.
I wanted to know if car is the only pratical way to go to lighting bridge
It is also possible to find opals in a mine like you did with your friend somewhere/somehow? like renting tools, equipments, helping with ground control and all there is need to do.
At last if I could suggest a little tip, you speak a very understandable english but ...ehm... your friend does not, it would be not a bad idea to add subtitles, I dont know how it works to add them (it shouldn't require any work for you) but also doing it for all the new videos can maybe help a little.
Awesome thank you. You are very kind
You can get a bus here as well. But finding people to mine with will be very hard. Trust is a big thing out there
nice love it
Thank you
Awesome video, it must have been a blast! I am for sure jealous, I have to visit there one day! If I do, it would be great to meet you and the crew!!
P.S. If you could send me like a pound (lb) of the dirt, I will pay you whatever you think would be fair! 😜
I'll be there in a fortnight!
I like that flannel you wearing who makes it
Hi!!! It's Angela, from @anicholek! Hoping that you're doing well!!!
You're getting very good at that video thing Justin. When are you going to cut again?
Crusty soon buddy 🙏
Be safe sir...what is it with the flies? Wow, that is a huge expanse of land...ur right , I bet there are thousands of dollars 💵 in opals! Right u dear ur feet 🦶...
The dumps are now closed off to the public, if you are planning to go, please keep in mind you will be told to leave should you enter the dumping site. Farewell to a well loved culture in the opal fields.
How's the water situation out there? Last I heard it was pretty dry!
extremely dry still
the drone + the flies gives me that phobia feeling... I couldnt focus on anything that Ausie said
You crack me up 😂
How far out is it from the fields? I can't find the dump.
It says it in the video but its about 70 kilometres from Lightning Ridge
@@blackopaldirect thanks im sorry I must've missed it. XD next destination!
we forget about tools and bug spray!
just dive into the dirt!
I'm single and I seriously think I'm about to move to Australia and live at that dump lol. I would absolutely love to just sift that massive pile for opal all day every day, and if people arent doing it like they used to then there should be lots of material just waiting for me to come collect it.
Emus are so prehistoric looking
Nice one Justin... So did you find any :-)?
Albert Pergler haha only potch but no color
Can you black light the opal Road?
I heard they have paydirt but I can’t find any. Do you have any info about it?
Is there anywhere else in Australia where people can legally hunt for opals? Even fee dig sites or anything?
So! Just went out to The Grawin. No one wanted to point us in the direction of where we could fossick, and the people there told us that you could no longer fossick because the pile was in danger of caving in... However the locals had big piles of opal dust delivered to them personally that had large 'no noodling' signs on them. So pretty much, tourists are being shoo'd away because the locals want the opals for themselves.
Also, the place is a dump... There is broken glass bottles lining the roads and tin cans everywhere. The whole vibe is that it's a very greedy place. Not nice at all and not worth the amount of time it took to get there...
I grew up at the ridge