You are the inspiration to opal cutters . And miners . I enjoy every video you put out. And learrned an awful lot. Thank you.

I love watching your catalog of older videos! This huge chunk is absolutely fantastic!!

Your craftsmanship with these stones is incredible!! I love your videos sir very informative.

Hello! I've been watching you opal cutting videos for a while and have taken an interest in jewelry making and stone cutting. You inspired to sign up for a metals/jewelry making class at my highschool for my senior year and I'm excited to begin this hobby. Thank you for sharing your techniques and all your beautiful opals! Can't wait to see how this one turns out :)

I'm glad I found you on my KZfaq. You've become one of my favorite channels to watch. Thank You! It started with buttons for me. They would be beautiful on a blouse. You are very informative. Thank You!

I love watching your videos. I have learned a lot about my favorite stone. What I have learned from you, to me is priceless. Thank you for teaching us about opals and how to care for them properly.

Just stunning. No suggestions on how to cut it. Too mesmerized by that opal!

Everything i know about opal gemstones is from your youtube chanel and i subscribed some time ago just for the pleasure of watching your amazing work and listening your warm voice.I do think that opal is the most beautiful stone ever...

Option #2 love the creative cut & should get the most value. Keep'em coming! Love ur work! One day when i grow up, i would love to purchase one of your Pulitzer opals

Great to watch you working again. For my initial thinking, I look at such a large piece and my first thoughts are of a complete matching set which includes a ring, necklace / pendant and earings. But with such a large piece the options are seriously varied, including carving if you enjoy carving opals. seeing all that ed and orange, Iwould also be inclinied to see what amount of these colours I coud put ino one higher value piece or set.

Wow, totally enjoy all your talent and info. Opals so many kinds , so beautiful. And that’s a big one. 👍🦋

I think you are a great teacher and cutter,thank you so much,my best to you. M

Every time I see an Opal I remember one of the sweetest most kind lady I had the privilege to know, she touched my life and the life of my son in such a way, it gave me the belief that there are truly some very good hearted people in the world...and when she passed away with only me at her side in a hospital in Houston, I wrote a poem in homage to her wonderful life...it felt like the right thing to do for a woman who could not bare children of her own, but on a cold Christmas eve, she was brought an orphaned baby to raise as her own. He grew to become a successful man, that then married my eldest sister. 29 years and they have no children of their own but helped me raise my fatherless son and daughter... it made the bond between them strong as a husband and wife. For that help, I owe her, a mother in every sense, my up most gratitude...

Love your channel. I became fascinated with opal as kid, and have learned a lot from you thanks for the vids

Great work! Love your channel! Always a blast to watch 😁

Thankyou for the lessons fella,,,,keep up the great work,,,,your clips help me out heaps,,,cheers, jason

Love watching the finished piece emerge. Opals are so beautiful.

I would choose option #4. Cut one piece at a time and re-evaluate after each cut. I really enjoy yoyr videos. Opals are my favorite and you take such care getting the best out of each one. I like the whole process and find it very fascinating. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and talent.😊

When I look into an opal, I get transported to another world.

Used to be really interested in geology and minerals when I was a kid. Watching some of your videos is really bringing me back! Such a cool hobby I wish to get into in the future. I think the single large piece looks pretty cool to be honest.

Beautiful opal! Good luck to you on how ever you choose to cut it. I rather like option 2, evaluating as you go. Seems like this would lend itself to some lovely larger stones. Should be exciting to do.

Don I learn so much from how you explain what you do, I know even though I want to, I'll never do any lapidary, but watching you I feel like I know what I'm doing Thanks man

Beautiful slab. Love your videos thanks for sharing.

Just started working with opal-black opal from lightning ridge & Ethiopian opal. It is My birthstone so am naturally connected to it. Recently diagnosed w/ R.A. I slowed My spa business down after 30+ years to follow My opal passion(s). I think you should cut as many match sets as you can in various sizes for matching earrings & pendant. Thanks for your videos & consideration-love your work

Had to watch this one again also. I finally got a piece of Coober Pedy large enough to have to explore. I really like like way of taking off the sand and potch. Rolling the edges. I've started doing that with every stone and it's working great. Thanks for the video because I'm still learning and every little trick or I guess tip helps.

Beautiful opal! And definitely option #4, but always do what makes you feel happiest!!

I love opals and love watching you work. Thank you

Wow!! I live in Willow Alaska and I love to carve opal. All kinds!! Option #4 is where it's at!! It seems you do your best work on the fly. Your good at it!! I would gladly except a piece of that beautiful opal. That's an option that works. Happy carving from Missy in Willow Alaska.

You must love your work! Thanks for great information about my favorite stone. Option 4

I love opals. The play of color is so magical and fascinating. How I wish I could have one, a real one I mean.

Here I am, a year and a half too late, as usual, lol. I like to see your work. I probably will never have any opal but it teaches me how to work other stones(agate and crystal quartz). Thanks for the informative vids. Havagudun my friend.

Wow!!!! What a beautiful piece of opal! My Father was a Goldsmith and gemologist. However, I was never able to watch him cut. I just love gemstones and agates. I’ve thought about taking some classes myself..

Hi there. Always enjoy your videos. So informative. Know I am new to cutting . But I think #2 might give you more wow! #1 would be more yielding. But, I think #2. And that's because of the color bars. Can't wait to see what you decide.

I would love the chance to win a piece of that! Thank you for the opportunities you give us all to do so and the informational videos. Fantastic job! As for how to cut it, maybe horizontally or lengthwise rather than vertically.

That’s a Pretty impressive Opal. Thanks for sharing

This is a straight up nice piece of opal. Can't wait to see what you do with it.

Beautiful! Option 4 I'm in love with! Forgot to comment that 😂 I would love one❤

Hello, I too am a flint knapper. Many years ago my friend Joe had some Opal and ask me to knapp some arrowheads with it. I declined because all I knew about Opal was it was expensive and I didn't feel I was up to the challenge. We live here in Florida and the best knapper around was our friend Claud Van Order. Claud made three little points that were just superb. I'm sure I could have done something with it but never as good as Claud had done. Would like to see some of your stuff you've knapped.

Great freakin video! Love the informative nature.

Love your videos! Giveaways are a bonus!

Oh what a beauty, I would love to win this. I enjoy watching your videos with my friend. You create such beautiful objects 😍

wow another amazing video! i would say cutting half of it into slices like option #1 and leave the other half for option #4! it would be great to have some smaller pieces as well as larger ones left over to work with! thank you for sharing your amazing work!

Always nice to watch your videos. Keep up the good work. If I was going to make a plan I would go with #2.

Very cool piece and nice fire in there! And i would leave it as is with all the lines visible and a big top and bottom surface with lots and lots of fire

Please please PLEASE say this is still available! Man, I am so glad I found this channel.

I enjoy watching your video very much. I would suggest 50% of this opal block goes under Option 1 and the remainder comes under option 4 to have some flexibility for custom-made pieces. Keep up your good job in sharing interesting videos! Thank you.

Option 4 seems safest :) Gorgeous opal!

I appreciate you explaining why you cut where you cut & your thought process. If your so inclined to share a teensyist piece with me, i would humbly accept. Much love from Ohio. Thanks!

Great vid full of great information and very useful tips for a beginner such as myself.well done and thanks and you get my sub.

Hi Don, I watched your video again, and I think there are valid reasons for each option. I’m leaning more toward option number 4......but I do see a place for number 2 next, then number 1 only if volume production were the goal. I love your graphics...and again, thanks for sharing. Marc Pruett

Half option #1 and cuts length wise, dividing each layer of colour to make some big shallow stones on the other half! Beauty of a block!!

Outstanding explanation and thank you. I believe that I would cut as I go, simple because the Poch obscures the details.

Such an amazing block of opal. Wow.

I think it best to select the first option for best results. And I can't wait to learn my fate. Thanks for all your videos.

I think a mix of option 2 and 4 would be nice, and let us watch as you do it. Thanks for the videos!

Wheee! A block party! I just shared to my OPAL loving gplus friends.💙

I think option 2 Nice big piecesLove all the free info you share

Well, I did like option 1 mainly because it gives you so many similar sizes and shapes. It's good for making matched sets that people tend to look for. It is a beautiful piece as it is though

I always enjoy your videos! You have some amazing material, and you always do a great job explaining, which not everyone does. If it was me, I think I would try something like your #1 option, but with the intent to make maybe half or a third as many slices. After each slice, I'd re-evaluate, just to be sure. But my reasoning on the thicker slices, is that it would allow you to cut each slice in any of several different ways, as that particular slice is best suited, and likely get 2-4 fair sized stones from each piece.

That's a pretty piece! I'm interested in the giveaway. I'd say that, because of your skill with cutting, option 4 would be the most interesting choice.

Very nice stone. I reckon what you choose will be the right option. Good luck

It looks like a lovely piece

very good job.beautiful!!

Marvellous piece. I think vertical and horizontal cuts should be utilised. Perhaps even a nice 45 degree, cross sectional cut, would produce an interesting stone 😁🖒

Nice work mate! #4 go for the big colour bar, cheers

Thank you for both this video and for offering this giveaway. Both show your amazing generosity my friend. It would be fun to have a piece of this as I have yet to work on any Lambina material. To me, the way to go is an option 2&4 hybrid. It would make nice cabs with option one colorwise but you would lose the incredible true pattern of these color bars. Option 2 would show the patterns of the layers and let you still get all double sided stones. 😉

Yes, please! How gorgeous!

Dang! I missed the giveaway again! Oh well, thank you for sharing your knowledge and skills with us!

hi, I was thinking about option 2 my self too before you show the options the stone it is clean enougth to evaluate it. maybe cut some pieces in half or recheck it . thanks a lot to let your opal tribe enjoy your videos. thanks, and of course, I will be more than happy to get some opal always.

Pulitzer Opal I chose option four, The color bars of the opal are continuous throughout stone, maybe you could do something with that, like a cut (along the longest side) that well showcases this feature. Or make a collection or set of jewelry from it. Also, within this stone there are many colors that are able to be displayed depending the orientation of each cut stone. Like on the longest, widest sides, (the top and bottom of the stone), reds, yellows, and greens and blues, and even some speckles of purple. The possibilities are endless, these are just a few of my suggestions.

Very very good Stone And Respekt for you

Recently subscribe to your KZfaq channel and now I'm hooked. I think you should slice the Opel and just make arrowheads. Maybe one or two cabochon to keep Sheila happy.

beauiful stones and work done

I chose option four, I really think this stone has infinite potential when it comes to what can be made from it. The color bars of the opal are continuous throughout stone, maybe you could do something with that, like a cut (along the longest side) that well showcases this feature. Or make a collection or set of jewelry from it. Also, within this stone there are many colors that are able to be displayed depending the orientation of each cut stone. Like on the longest, widest sides, (the top and bottom of the stone), reds, yellows, and greens and blues, and even some speckles of purple. The possibilities are endless, these are just a few of my suggestions.

Great exposure of this opal! I would choose option 4 and cut as you go depending on the opal :)

Very awesome piece! I would cut as you go. Keep up the great videos and good luck everyone!

I'd love to see the next video, what you decided to do. This is the first time I'm seeing a lot of these videos but I see that they've been posted 7 months ago. New to me! Wow! Love your teaching. I'd love to know the links for the next one(s) from this particular piece of opal. I would have voted for slicing like bread, I wonder what you did. And, do you treat all/some/ most/ a few...kinds of opal? Are there several kinds of treatments? Thanks for your time, master!!

Option 4 for sure. Need to be flexible to yield the best possible outcome, depending on what you are trying to achieve! I have always loved Opal, but never had the pleasure of owning a piece. It would be an honour to be able to work with one!

I hope i am not too late for the giveaway! Anyways, option #4 seems reasonable. Thank you for the frequent uploads lately, i really enjoy watching them.

Most beautiful stone I'm completely in love with opal

There is a lovely blue cabochon in the bottom of #2 and those green bars on top will give you a lot of options as you begin to cut.

Just bought a flat top lapidary machine today I’m super excited to get to work on some opal! I think option #1 would be the way to go!

id be delighted great video and gorgeous speciemen but id go option 3 leave as is very nice color im in arizona out here you find alot of agates and lots of others occassionally you find some agates with small amounts of opal in them in certain spots will glow green under a black light only on certain pieces of agate were there is translucent grey spots that i believe is opal wonderfull video and nice stones brightest of blessings to you my friend

"large" is the rare word in opal world.. had never had any large.. small is my opal middle name.. but amazing to see such opal at this size ! nice!

I live in bc canada and i find opel didnt no how to cut it but thanks to You now i do. Now im hooked You. Bastard!!!lol 😄😄 many thanks.bob

Beautiful stone! Slicing a stone like that I guess would be a hard decision but really depends on what drives your business. If there's a market for a very large stone or pendants, matches for ear rings. So many choices! I could see that in a necklace in a string of stones in white gold.

Simply spectacular!

I just found your channel today. I have to say that it's quite amazing what you are able to do with opals. I would be interested in finding your finished pieces on eBay to purchase some of your work and so I can see you work on opal more. I think option 4 is tour best bet.

Going for option No 4 seems to be the most obvious, but I would give option 2 at least one try, as concidering the pattern inherent and already visible might imply some really nice striped patterns coming out of that cut. Good luck anyway! Love your vids and opals!

Thanks for the generous giveaways

Well Donald I think option 4 would be the best. Being able to cut and reevaluate is SAFEST for me for a specimen like that. Of course leaving it alone as a beautiful specimen is a great option also!!

Looks awesome... I would pick #4, keep the options open!

Great Videos!

Option # 2 of corse. , a well thought out approach to large slabs of the best color bigger is better. And the remaining portion the area about the size of a nickel that has no color on the surface, I see a great high dome large size round cab hidden just below, a ring fit for Merlin or a King would be in order. HAPPY CUTTING !!

Wow, I thought I was way too late , but thought I would leave my tuppence worth anyway. I love opal and have been watching you and Black opal direct for quite a while. Please don’t think I gave my personal option for a giveaway, i genuinely would have cut the piece as option five, had I owned it. Love you’re videos, and keep them coming. BTW 13

I think option #4 is the one I like best. You can't see what's in the middle of the opal piece, so by making a cut then deciding what cut to make next would seem to be the best option. The opal is beautiful, so I hope you get many gems fro. It.

I'm probably too late to be in the drawing, but I believe you should adlib this one. I see some red in there and you might have some lovely concentrations toward the core.... love to see this when it's cut.

Option #4 would be the way to go. There's a bar with no color running lengthwise, so it might be good to take a thin blade and cut into it that way because if you want to make stones you would need the color bars to face up or down. But I'm too late! I've subscribed but I never saw this post. Guess I'd better manually go to the site more often.

Hey Donald, another awesome piece! Please enter me in the giveaway! My vote would be for option 2, you could really bring out the best of the stone and can basically already see where you can get the best pieces from. Option 4 is always good too :)

awesome stone..just keep it the way it is.