Hi justin stumbled upon your channel im hooked never thought i would find cutting stones so fascinating sort of wont me to learn more about it i like taking risks in life will keep watching almost through your play list great sense of humour m8 🤣🤣
well, I'd like to see you and your staff re-create the buying/bargaining process that we didnt get to see in this video. looking forward to that scene. silent movie benny hill style would suffice
I was so hip on watching you haggle for your opals and a little disappointed that it didn't happen but I took solace knowing we are a free people and privacy is one of the more important tenants of freedom. I look forward to you bringing the beauty out of your purchases.
I’d love to know the cost compared to sale value of that bundle (obviously I don’t expect you to actually share the numbers) Must be amazing to be able to turn say a $50 stone into a $500 or even $5000 piece. Especially when you think the miner still makes his money to make mining worth it.
It's like a food chain. Everybody knows the values, and what they can get for what they do. An old timer I once knew said that a good deal (or trade) resulted in an equality of dis-satisfaction, or an equality of satisfaction for both parties. There are always risks on both sides, but everybody's wide awake. It's what keeps the system going.
@@lilacwitch69 Haha well my parents are German so I must've picked it up from them. I live in Africa currently xD but thanks for the comment, nice to see Germans are so friendly :P
@@lisamoss5796 I really appreciate your reply just had a look at the prices and they are good prices if you are a professional cutter but this will be my first time shaping a stone into a gem so it's way out of my price range.. I found a single stone going for 1k but I don't think I can do it justice as a noob.. Think ebay maybe the only option for now unfortunately.. Me and my mum wants to use the dremel so I think a few stones may go down the drain 😅 hoping to find a nice noobie package if even possible. 👍
@@carolgreathouse7898 I've noticed just need to find the right seller as a noob I'm going to be learning on the stones I buy so hopefully there's a nice cheap package out there much love ✌️
That was a huge tease Justin, I wanted so badly for you to start your machines and water and get going..... Cant wait for the upcoming videos. Thank you Black Opal Direct for an interesting video, you have me eagerly awaiting next weeks video.
Great video Justin, when you film another one, show us some rough pieces and tell us how much it would be worth, and then show it after you cut and polish it and tell us how much it's worth.
How long?!? 17 hours?! I can wait, I hope you get some good knobbies and one of the should have a pattern no one has ever seen!!!!!! Good luck mate!!!!!!!!
We enjoyed a lot this video Justin! When I watch most of your videos I have this like "suspense" we can say, in a good way obviously, 'cause I can't resist to look at the final result! But the trip is so entertaining and beautiful at the same time. From a rough stone to a beautiful opal.. Thank you for sharing all this little beautiful journeys with us ❤
I hope you decide to put up a couple $50-$100 small parcels of 'risky' roughs for sale on your site, I've been practicing on Welo opals, I'd like to try some of the very different Lightning Ridge stones before I take a chance on buying better quality ones to cut. Either way, thank you for sharing your trip with us, the whole process is endlessly fascinating!
Wow, what a video! You are no longer just a master opal cutter, but a master TH-camr too! The vibes were on point. Can't wait to see the cutting of these gems! I'm concerned though, I checked out your website and saw that you must have like a million dollars worth of opal at least. Surely it's locked away in a vault somewhere right?
@@blackopaldirect hahaha 😂 one day I'll be able to buy an opal from you. Until then I'll just enjoy the videos 😀 also, it's awesome that you reply to every comment directed toward you. People really appreciate that, especially since it gets really hard to do the bigger your channel becomes.
Hi Justin and Melinda, this is such an adventure and treat for us! Greetings to you all on Black Opal Direct from me in Sweden! Good luck opal hunting and shopping...
I appreciate how respectful you are with the folks at Lightning ridge... I'd think they need good security there! Can't wait to see what beauties you uncover!!!
yes...its more exciting for viewers to know how much you paid for your bag of rough ?...didu get to handpick the rough ?:::I handpicked my bag of rough many years ago;shes called Sheila .
It's really interesting you can buy opal in different stages of "completeness". I'm curious (and a bit confused) why someone would sell an almost finished gem. I get it if you don't have the tools or knowledge to cut it yourself, but if it's 90% of the way there....why sell and lose that bit of profit?
I love how secretive the industry is. I think this happens in almost all specialized industries. We build a respect amongst our peers. Our family and personal reputation can have a big effect on how accepted we are. Thank you so much for sharing what you can.
Lovely viddy. Next time you do one of these and you show us the already rubbed stones, if you wet the stones before showing us that would be greatly appreciated! That way we can really enjoy the colors :)
Thank you for the little walkabout in lightning ridge. Went back to my 17 birthday when I was there. Parrots in the background and everything. All it was missing was the flying car. Or maybe it was a bus.
I LOVE how you keep it real on your channel and don’t try to feed people this “Opals will make you rich, and it’s all 💵💵💵💵💵 every time you hit the grinder”. Your passion for opals is what makes you and your channel special. I’m not in the business, but if I was, I’d want someone like you to be my mentor.
Cool to see another aspect of it. One thing I wonder is let's say on an average day not working to hard how many stones or hours would a normal day be no videos no TH-cam just a leisurely day for Justin and time and stones for that kinda day.
Nice parcels of opal there. Hope you get some really good stones from them. I noticed that one of the comments was a bit nasty. Hope the local emus find him and kick his dunny down! 😂😂😂😂. Lol. Amazing how envy can rot brains in some people and turn them into trolls. Have a great day, to all of your staff and subscribers. Looking for the next video. 👍. Greetings from Dimboola.
@@trumpatier well. It's mainly because I'm getting that government check and my identity was stolen 5 months ago and I'm finally almost got my payment and I'll have enough to afford to lose..? I guess that's how youd say it. It's low risk because it's a single blue/green clean skin rough. No sand. Just needs shaped. Want the kicker to it all..? My first Australian opal. I've only ever done 2 little Ethiopian Welos
@@nickmarshall6713 ouch, sorry to hear about the fraud issue. But that's nice that you have some spending money now! So you've got experience with cutting/polishing opals?
@@trumpatier very little but Ive been watching Justin for about 3-4 years now and watching my brother I think I'm ready for the big dawgs! I've messed with plenty of opal chips to learn layers and potch and patterns so I think I'm ready.
Hallo mein Freund you make a very good job i like you Videos ho it going mate I'm Jörg from Germany i have Band twenty four years ago in Australien Coober Pedy and i am come back maybe this year maybe the Coober Pedy orte Queensland Lightning Ridge
Also, why don’t people in Lightning Ridge finish the stones off themselves? If they’ve shaped them already why don’t they just finish the job and polish them, wouldn’t they get more for them? I’m just intrigued, sorry for so many questions and love the channel
Thank you heaps mate. I am learning so much from you. I really enjoyed this video to explain what to look for and more. Others have noticed how my skills are improving and my eye for quality is getting better too - thanks to your teachings. I also truly appreciate your wacky larikinisms.... bloody true Aussie. Keep it going mate. Onya.
Very fine production, I'm also coming by foot, it may take awhile since I started in Canada I had to construct a very long snorkel tube for the Mariana trench crossing...
That very dark red stone is gorgeous!!! Please Please please make a video of the polishing of that if you can of course I understand if not. Either way, I will be looking forward to seeing it listed online.
G'Day Jason - my question is ..... with the rough pieces such as we are seeing in the plastic jar you have here - do you have to take the exact pieces and quantity contained in the jar as offered by the seller or can you take some out and put others of similar size in?
Mr Justin, I believe you to be a genuinely great person. I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say I appreciate you. Thanks for sharing all that you do in such a pleasing and entertaining manner. So much we learn about opal and about you. Thank you!
Hello Justin ! I like how you put naïve people in their place about opal mining. Some seem to think that opals grow on trees ! I'm also glad you don't reveal the vendors. 👥 Opals should have some mystery to them. 🤔 Magical things that they are ! Now the haggeling prosess could've been a nice little drama. 🤗 📺 ; 💎😍👍🤑🤲💰😳👎💵😠💣😳👈💵💵😬👉💸🙄🤝😎 But no need to reveal the tricks up your sleeve.... 😉 Stay safe and well. Love from Norway 💖 🇳🇴
Your such a lovely person. I'm so blessed to be here watching you. You always make me smile and in the world today, that is a very precious skill, just like your beautiful opals. Thank you for letting us be apart of your day. Blessings from my heart to you and yours and to everyone who sees this I can't wait to see you work those stones 🙂
That. Was so greatly informative. Great to see you go buy the stones. To bad we couldn’t see your negotiations. Love the new young lady,sweetheart. Which you and the family.🌈👍🌅🍎🙏😀🌻🌞❤️🌷🇱🇷🎻🍷
Watching Black OpalDirect is my calm in a stormy world!😊
Opal is seriously amazing. I’m no rock hound or gem connoisseur but ever since I saw a gem for the first time, it sparked something in me.
Add to it Justin’s amazing videos and good nature. One of my favorite channels on TH-cam
What a nice description! You are absolutely right. 100% agree.
Hi justin stumbled upon your channel im hooked never thought i would find cutting stones so fascinating sort of wont me to learn more about it i like taking risks in life will keep watching almost through your play list great sense of humour m8 🤣🤣
Same here , and I like to watch Almazan kitchen,guy cooking in the forest,no talk,no music , only sounds of the nature.
well, I'd like to see you and your staff re-create the buying/bargaining process that we didnt get to see in this video. looking forward to that scene. silent movie benny hill style would suffice
Good hunting Justin. I’ll look forward to seeing the end results, coming from your workshop. Take care mate👍
I was so hip on watching you haggle for your opals and a little disappointed that it didn't happen but I took solace knowing we are a free people and privacy is one of the more important tenants of freedom. I look forward to you bringing the beauty out of your purchases.
I’d love to know the cost compared to sale value of that bundle (obviously I don’t expect you to actually share the numbers) Must be amazing to be able to turn say a $50 stone into a $500 or even $5000 piece. Especially when you think the miner still makes his money to make mining worth it.
That depends on how they all cut. sometimes its good and sometimes its not so good.
It's like a food chain. Everybody knows the values, and what they can get for what they do. An old timer I once knew said that a good deal (or trade) resulted in an equality of dis-satisfaction, or an equality of satisfaction for both parties. There are always risks on both sides, but everybody's wide awake. It's what keeps the system going.
@@blackopaldirect Holding thumbs the upcoming cuts will be awesome!
@@kurtschloesser haha, such a german thing to say! :D
Nice to see a fellow german here 👍🏻
@@lilacwitch69 Haha well my parents are German so I must've picked it up from them. I live in Africa currently xD but thanks for the comment, nice to see Germans are so friendly :P
Been looking forward to seeing the process.
I’m SO excited for the next few months now! I cannot WAIT to see what he uncovers! Love from Michigan!! 🙌❤️
Can't wait to see this.. Coming from uk this is almost impossible for me to do but would love to buy untouched opal 👍
In the UK we are good at dreaming x
You can get rough opal on ebay.
You can get rough opal on their website! I just got a little parcel.
@@lisamoss5796 I really appreciate your reply just had a look at the prices and they are good prices if you are a professional cutter but this will be my first time shaping a stone into a gem so it's way out of my price range.. I found a single stone going for 1k but I don't think I can do it justice as a noob.. Think ebay maybe the only option for now unfortunately.. Me and my mum wants to use the dremel so I think a few stones may go down the drain 😅 hoping to find a nice noobie package if even possible. 👍
@@carolgreathouse7898 I've noticed just need to find the right seller as a noob I'm going to be learning on the stones I buy so hopefully there's a nice cheap package out there much love ✌️
The beginning of this was fantastic. Love your sense of humor
Thank you Kellsey
I always enjoy learning about the different patterns he talks about with opal
Thanks Daniel
That was a huge tease Justin, I wanted so badly for you to start your machines and water and get going..... Cant wait for the upcoming videos. Thank you Black Opal Direct for an interesting video, you have me eagerly awaiting next weeks video.
Cant wait to see the real black one with the red in it very interesting and excited to see you work your magic. Its like Christmas morning .
Great video Justin, when you film another one, show us some rough pieces and tell us how much it would be worth, and then show it after you cut and polish it and tell us how much it's worth.
I will try
I would also love to see how much you paid for the rough, next to the polished version and its new value!
Oh this is exactly what I wanted to see and asked about on your last video!!
How much do you normally pay for the rough opal? An what stone do you always look for?
Genuine expertise is hard to come by, learning while doing!
Some gorgeous stones in there, I’d love to come visit for a week and learn how to cut. Going to be some great videos coming with those beauties!
You have one of the most amazing careers in the world.
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Sweet! This should prove to be very interesting.......and entertaining. All of your videos sneak a little humor in there somewhere. Love it!
Kay I take my humor seriously lol
@@blackopaldirect :D that's the perfect way!
How long?!? 17 hours?! I can wait, I hope you get some good knobbies and one of the should have a pattern no one has ever seen!!!!!! Good luck mate!!!!!!!!
We enjoyed a lot this video Justin!
When I watch most of your videos I have this like "suspense" we can say, in a good way obviously, 'cause I can't resist to look at the final result! But the trip is so entertaining and beautiful at the same time.
From a rough stone to a beautiful opal.. Thank you for sharing all this little beautiful journeys with us ❤
I hope you decide to put up a couple $50-$100 small parcels of 'risky' roughs for sale on your site, I've been practicing on Welo opals, I'd like to try some of the very different Lightning Ridge stones before I take a chance on buying better quality ones to cut. Either way, thank you for sharing your trip with us, the whole process is endlessly fascinating!
That was a good productive trip Justin, you got some nice opals there and am looking forward to watching your videos. Thank you for sharing
Wow, what a video! You are no longer just a master opal cutter, but a master TH-camr too! The vibes were on point. Can't wait to see the cutting of these gems!
I'm concerned though, I checked out your website and saw that you must have like a million dollars worth of opal at least. Surely it's locked away in a vault somewhere right?
Thank you Trumpet Haha yes the opals are safe under the right hand side of the garden dug in a hole but no one knows that lol
@@blackopaldirect hahaha 😂 one day I'll be able to buy an opal from you. Until then I'll just enjoy the videos 😀 also, it's awesome that you reply to every comment directed toward you. People really appreciate that, especially since it gets really hard to do the bigger your channel becomes.
Hi Justin and Melinda, this is such an adventure and treat for us! Greetings to you all on Black Opal Direct from me in Sweden! Good luck opal hunting and shopping...
I appreciate how respectful you are with the folks at Lightning ridge... I'd think they need good security there! Can't wait to see what beauties you uncover!!!
This is going to be awesome. I can't wait for the haggling.
Reminder set.
The price would be very interesting 😏
This will be a POPULAR series, no doubt. Love it
I like your crazy. You are like a kid in a candy store. Opal is awesome & thanks for teaching me so much. Toronto,Ontario, Canada
You are so welcome
It's amazing to me how you see the hidden beauty in these otherwise quite plain looking stones. Can't wait to see how they turn out. Nice score!
Thank you rainbow mc brown trout
Nice video Justin, thanks for sharing!. I have a strong feeling that one of the roughs will show script pattern 🙏❤️
let's hope so!
Wasn't expecting this!
Loving this immensely!
Thank you David
Buying Black Opal like that, most of the work is done except polishing. Those knobbys are a challenge for sure.
How often do you make a trip like that to buy more opal?
yes...its more exciting for viewers to know how much you paid for your bag of rough ?...didu get to handpick the rough ?:::I handpicked my bag of rough many years ago;shes called Sheila .
Aurora Borealis in a bag and jar. Can't wait to see these cut and polished. Bangers and rippers.👍☮️
Can't wait to see those beauties turn out awesome
Looking forward to it. Greeting from Arizona.
Awesome! Thank you!
That stone at 8:04 is beautiful. It looks like mountains!
It's really interesting you can buy opal in different stages of "completeness". I'm curious (and a bit confused) why someone would sell an almost finished gem. I get it if you don't have the tools or knowledge to cut it yourself, but if it's 90% of the way there....why sell and lose that bit of profit?
Great question.
That thumbnail! At first glance I thought you were shirtless and rippling with muscle!
I am anyway 😂
@@blackopaldirect Oh you....😄
Me too 😎🤣
Ground Keeper Willie
Marvellous vid!! 😎🙌 Made me laugh, when i saw "silica street". How fitting!
I know it might be a bit to ask, but I would like to approximate prices for rough of that quality.
I love how secretive the industry is. I think this happens in almost all specialized industries. We build a respect amongst our peers. Our family and personal reputation can have a big effect on how accepted we are. Thank you so much for sharing what you can.
Welcome and thank you for understanding
I have opal contact mi
What if you just blurred their faces and/or didn't film until you were inside their home?
I've seen how this story starts like this before... nevermind. I was wrong.
4:39 We can tell you're just going in and out of the car not coming back from trips! ;-)
:30 I've been there! I feel your pain. That's the last time I let my wife take me on a death march in an amusement park!
Lovely viddy. Next time you do one of these and you show us the already rubbed stones, if you wet the stones before showing us that would be greatly appreciated! That way we can really enjoy the colors :)
Thanks for the tip
@@blackopaldirect haha just a recommendation. The channel has been a really relaxing outlet for me over the past couple years ❤️
Thank you for the little walkabout in lightning ridge. Went back to my 17 birthday when I was there. Parrots in the background and everything. All it was missing was the flying car. Or maybe it was a bus.
Americans: 9 hours to drive 485 miles?
Damnit. I've become my worst image of self....yet I love the opal..
I LOVE how you keep it real on your channel and don’t try to feed people this “Opals will make you rich, and it’s all 💵💵💵💵💵 every time you hit the grinder”. Your passion for opals is what makes you and your channel special. I’m not in the business, but if I was, I’d want someone like you to be my mentor.
I appreciate that
I always wanted to go there,doesn't look like it will happen.this is definitely the next best thing.thankyou Justin
Cool to see another aspect of it. One thing I wonder is let's say on an average day not working to hard how many stones or hours would a normal day be no videos no TH-cam just a leisurely day for Justin and time and stones for that kinda day.
*doesn’t want to show us what he pays . That is the business , if you let your secrets out someone else that you showed will beat you to the buy .
Nice parcels of opal there. Hope you get some really good stones from them. I noticed that one of the comments was a bit nasty. Hope the local emus find him and kick his dunny down! 😂😂😂😂. Lol. Amazing how envy can rot brains in some people and turn them into trolls. Have a great day, to all of your staff and subscribers. Looking for the next video. 👍. Greetings from Dimboola.
Thank you Nancy ❤️
Ha Ha! the vanity plate says POTCH that's so perfect!
Ah, Melinda great of you to pickup special people on the road .lol
Looking forward to seeing you cut those.
I got my little parcel yesterday thank you ♥️
Finally after years of being a viewer. I'll be making my first opal purchase from you!
Nice! I'd love to be able to buy one, but unfortunately the time isn't right yet.
@@trumpatier well. It's mainly because I'm getting that government check and my identity was stolen 5 months ago and I'm finally almost got my payment and I'll have enough to afford to lose..? I guess that's how youd say it. It's low risk because it's a single blue/green clean skin rough. No sand. Just needs shaped. Want the kicker to it all..? My first Australian opal. I've only ever done 2 little Ethiopian Welos
@@nickmarshall6713 ouch, sorry to hear about the fraud issue. But that's nice that you have some spending money now! So you've got experience with cutting/polishing opals?
@@trumpatier very little but Ive been watching Justin for about 3-4 years now and watching my brother I think I'm ready for the big dawgs! I've messed with plenty of opal chips to learn layers and potch and patterns so I think I'm ready.
Hi Nick Nice my friend. Thank you so much 😊🙏
Hallo mein Freund you make a very good job i like you Videos ho it going mate I'm Jörg from Germany i have Band twenty four years ago in Australien Coober Pedy and i am come back maybe this year maybe the Coober Pedy orte Queensland Lightning Ridge
Danke schön mein Freund für das Herz danke sehr Thanks a lot for the heart I am send you want 1000 Hearts back again
Also, why don’t people in Lightning Ridge finish the stones off themselves? If they’ve shaped them already why don’t they just finish the job and polish them, wouldn’t they get more for them? I’m just intrigued, sorry for so many questions and love the channel
Some do and some don't depending on the market at the time
Thank you heaps mate. I am learning so much from you. I really enjoyed this video to explain what to look for and more. Others have noticed how my skills are improving and my eye for quality is getting better too - thanks to your teachings. I also truly appreciate your wacky larikinisms.... bloody true Aussie. Keep it going mate. Onya.
Oh cant wait for this..from Philippines here
Hi justin i wanna see thease cut yesterday lol
lol
Hi Justin.You're not an easy target? There's a lot of money involved in opal. And they know you have a lot with you. Be careful bro.
always
I hope you got to see Pete the gentle giant. He was extremely helpful when we were last in town and the ladies loved the trip down the mine.
Very fine production, I'm also coming by foot, it may take awhile since I started in Canada I had to construct a very long snorkel tube for the Mariana trench crossing...
Hahaha
What a fun video! Can't wait to see them cut.
Thanks Cathi 🙏🙏❤️
Nice video! Thanks for sharing :}
Awesome ✌
That very dark red stone is gorgeous!!! Please Please please make a video of the polishing of that if you can of course I understand if not. Either way, I will be looking forward to seeing it listed online.
I was going to but it sold already :-/
PUT ON A HAT your content is too good to lose you to heat stroke.
G'Day Jason - my question is ..... with the rough pieces such as we are seeing in the plastic jar you have here - do you have to take the exact pieces and quantity contained in the jar as offered by the seller or can you take some out and put others of similar size in?
Not sure what you mean?
Just a quick question please. With the felt buffing disc do you use medium soft or Hard. Any help appreciated cheers
soft
Cute editing! I had a good chuckle.
Yay, thank you!
You Got Rocks now!!! Beauty!
👍👍
Mr Justin, I believe you to be a genuinely great person. I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say I appreciate you. Thanks for sharing all that you do in such a pleasing and entertaining manner. So much we learn about opal and about you. Thank you!
Cant seem to find the quad polishing machine Justin uses in the UK, gem master I think its called? Anyone know a good alternative I can get here?
No sure about the UK but if you google lapidary in the uk you might find it
Hi Justin, An interesting video of your trip with some intriguing pieces destined for cutting. Keep Safe & Keep Rockin
Wait, I’m from Walgett and watch your videos, but don’t you live in Sydney?
I live on the Gold Coast
Hey how’s the green opal on the window sill ?
Very interested to know roughly how much that little haul costs
A deposit on a house
How big is the house 🤣🤣🤣
Nice video, would have enjoyed the bargaining process but oh well. Do you negotiable each stone out of the bags or negotiate the whole bag/bottle?
It is different with every person and their style of selling and buying
I had to wait for company to leave to watch this man what colors, I'm ready for the polish, thanks Justin your such a tease.
Coming soon my friend
That black one is really pretty.
Can’t wait for you to turn out some beauties 😃
Different time zone behind you in Texas but will try to catch your video after streaming. Good luck finding some great stones.
Hope you find a match for the southern cross. Best of luck Be well and be safe Bill.....................
Its a really nice video. I really like the editing this time. Thanks for doing this!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Cant wait to see the lives of the roughs!!
Great score! Looking forward to seeing you cut them!
You and me both! some are awesome
Hello Justin !
I like how you put naïve people in their place about opal mining.
Some seem to think that opals grow on trees !
I'm also glad you don't reveal the vendors. 👥
Opals should have some mystery to them. 🤔
Magical things that they are !
Now the haggeling prosess could've been a nice little drama. 🤗 📺 ;
💎😍👍🤑🤲💰😳👎💵😠💣😳👈💵💵😬👉💸🙄🤝😎
But no need to reveal the tricks up your sleeve.... 😉
Stay safe and well.
Love from Norway 💖 🇳🇴
I don't know why I'm so addicted to this channel. Justin is so cool, funny and a master at his trade.
Aww 🙏🙏
Your such a lovely person. I'm so blessed to be here watching you. You always make me smile and in the world today, that is a very precious skill, just like your beautiful opals. Thank you for letting us be apart of your day. Blessings from my heart to you and yours and to everyone who sees this
I can't wait to see you work those stones 🙂
My head is so big now I cant fit through the door. 😂 thank you for the kind words
@@blackopaldirect 💞☺
Gem master in UK anyone?
I love how you're always so happy!
That was so fun. can't wait to see the results. Love the intro hahaha
Glad you liked it!!
That. Was so greatly informative. Great to see you go buy the stones. To bad we couldn’t see your negotiations. Love the new young lady,sweetheart. Which you and the family.🌈👍🌅🍎🙏😀🌻🌞❤️🌷🇱🇷🎻🍷