Boulder Opals, any cutting & grinding tips?

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Tweetiepy
gets rocks for Christmas

Always looking in the wrong places...

Member since January 2005
Posts: 5,421

Boulder Opals, any cutting & grinding tips? Oct 17, 2007 8:27:19 GMT -5

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Post by Tweetiepy on Oct 17, 2007 8:27:19 GMT -5

Well I don't think I saw this posted anywhere yet, so I have to ask.

I acquired some boulder opals at the last craft show and now I'm getting worried about how to cut and grind these, since I've been given warnings and been told that I may need a course in cabbing this stuff.

I know you have to be gentle with them so you don't grind away the color or flash of color. But how do you go about doing this? So many of you posted amazing pictures of your wonderful boulder opals that it seems that one can do no wrong with this stuff, which I know is not true!

So please explain how one would go about cutting this stuff (the stuff I have is "lumpy" and doesn't have a flat surface to start off with)

I need ALL information required (starting with how to cut this stuff, how to find the good stuff, which grit to start grinding with, when to stop grinding)

Someone mentioned using a dremel (but I don't think I'm set up for that) and the opal that I have, looks to be on the surface only (not sure how to go about handling that)

Please help, I'm coveting this stuff and don't want to mess it up!

Thanks everyone!

beefjello
no longer being taken for granite

Member since December 2006
Posts: 8,731

Boulder Opals, any cutting & grinding tips? Oct 17, 2007 8:44:12 GMT -5

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Post by beefjello on Oct 17, 2007 8:44:12 GMT -5

Hi Tweet. This post from Tony helped me get started on the few BOs I've done. Looks like a couple of pics won't load, but you should still find it useful

forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=Pictures&thread=1182222850&page=1

I Wanna Rock!!!

stonesnbones spending too much on rocks Member since September 2007 Posts: 255	Boulder Opals, any cutting & grinding tips? Oct 17, 2007 13:56:45 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by stonesnbones on Oct 17, 2007 13:56:45 GMT -5 Tony is dead on with his post.The beginner advice I will give you is cut a little ,look alot.Your about to find out why I call myself an opalholic. Brad
	The mind is not a vessel to be filled,it is a fire to be lit.

Deleted
Deleted Member

Member since January 1970
Posts: 0

Boulder Opals, any cutting & grinding tips? Oct 17, 2007 15:36:32 GMT -5

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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2007 15:36:32 GMT -5

Tweet, you just need to go for it. Like stonesbones said grind a little then look. More looking then grinding, thats some good advice. When you see a pattern developing try to center it too. Post your results.

Last Edit: Oct 17, 2007 15:38:37 GMT -5 by Deleted

Deleted
Deleted Member

Member since January 1970
Posts: 0

Boulder Opals, any cutting & grinding tips? Oct 17, 2007 16:12:16 GMT -5

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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2007 16:12:16 GMT -5

I have only been cutting opal for a short time but the main thing I have found is that the more I say "there must be more color, if I just grind A LITTLE BIT MORE" the more color I grind away leaving nothing. Not that there arent times that you reveal more color but you also have to be content with what is there because you are not always going to find more. I am finally over that MUST GRIND MORE MORE MORE attitude. And like the others mentioned, you have to look a lot.

Its a lot of fun and not nearly as stressful as you think it will be.

Shannon

Tony W has started giving rock gifts Ahh, Opal. I love the fire and flash! Member since May 2007 Posts: 3,435	Boulder Opals, any cutting & grinding tips? Oct 17, 2007 16:42:26 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Tony W on Oct 17, 2007 16:42:26 GMT -5 www.koroit.com/cuttingopalarticlelinks.html Here it is again in case you missed my reply. T

stefan
Cave Dweller

Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113

Boulder Opals, any cutting & grinding tips? Oct 19, 2007 10:28:37 GMT -5

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Post by stefan on Oct 19, 2007 10:28:37 GMT -5

The nice thing with opal is that is is pretty soft (so even "lumpy stuff" grinds down pretty fast) the bad thing with opal is that it's pretty soft (it dissapears pretty fast) On trick Stoner taught me was to use some super glue to stabilize the real soft/ pitted areas- Just take your time- use lots of water- and clean the stone real well when inspecting (I've had iron stains cover up some nice flash - a good cleaning in water reveled the flash and saved me from ruining it!!) Oh most of all HAVE FUN!!!-- if your scared or uptight you will probably goof- relax and have fun

I can't tell if thats some Gneiss Schist, or that Schist is Gneiss. All I know is don't take it for Granite

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