Rough Opal, Ready to be worked! Options

[Denise]

Here is a lot of Opal that was bought, and given to us to work for them.
Im sure they will be surprised what we will be able to do with these amazing stones.

First picture is of the Opals....



This is a closer look at the larger Opal pictured at the top of the first photo....



So far the "Love In Lavender" heart is coming along nicely.
Im going to try to work this one by hand, meaning only with Diamond hand files, wet/dry sandpaper and polishing grit on a cloth. Opal is a soft stone, so this will be easier than workig Agate with hand tools. As you could see by the picture above, there are several white potch marks, and a fracture on the front that needs to be worked out. This is a fantastic stone, and the whole right side has this amazing bright purple rolling flash. The more I work the stone, the more flash rolls right into the left side. I love how the left side has this almost icy look to it. The backside had several surface fracture that I was afraid would go into the stone further, but they didnt. I have been able to clean it up nicely.

Right now the stone weighs 5.4 grams (26.5 ct.), but thats before the polishing. I think Im close to being done with the rough stage though except a little tip fine tuning. Remember, picture is shown of the stone dry after the rough (shaping) stage, so you cant see the color flash, but just wait till its done.
This one sure is going to be a beauty I think!

Front side....


Back side....



It will be fun to see what Dan is going to do with a few he has been eyeing up.

[CP]

Well that purple is very illusive to the cameras eye, I've tried several times myself to help get a pic showing the purple, but no matter what light or back is used the blue is what the camera sees. The blue actually got brighter in some lights and backgrounds, but still no purple in the pic.........as I was looking at in purple with my eye!
Everyone will just have to take our word for it on this one, it does have a beautiful purple in hand but that electric blue is easy to catch obviously too.
Nice work on this one Denise, but I still think you were nuts doing it all with hand files and hand polishing techniques!

[Denise]

Guess you will just have to see it in hand at the outing Chris. Its much nicer that way anyways.

Nice work on this one Denise, but I still think you were nuts doing it all with hand files and hand polishing techniques!

What's nuts is Im going to do it again, but next time it's going to be a sculpture. Just waiting for the right piece to come along.

Tools used to work the heart........
Diamond files, grits in order ( wet dry sandpaper) 220, 320, 400, 800, 1000, and then polished with a scrap piece of leather wet with tin oxide. I would like to add a few more grit stages, but thats all I could find for now.