Got to say that when you talk about your dad, it’s almost magical to listen to, it’s not just about the Opal (although that helps 😊), it’s about the whole shebang, you talking, cutting and polishing and telling us your tales about yr dad and the Opal fields. Thank you Justin and your team, from a very cold, wet and windy Orkney Islands. 💗

When I am cutting upstairs in my little studio and I see that little hint of red! I can feel my heart start to race! I stop, run downstairs, show my wife, who loves stones as I do and then its back upstairs to reveal m ore colour. So my perfect stone doesnt have to be big, but I love bright colours, reds, blues, greens and if I am very lucky, yellow! Great video Justin, thanks for sharing.

I'm an October baby along with my husband, his parents, and my sister-in-law.. I absolutely love opal!

My perfect opal would be crystal or white with colors in pin fire form, with pastel colors of pink, green, orange, red, purple and yellow: in fact every floral color there is so it would look like I was seeing a garden in bloom. Not to say that this one you cut isn’t just spectacular as well!

For me the perfect opal would look like the universe encased within rock with a myriad tiny multicoloured flecks for stars, nebulae and distant galaxies. Regards from Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

What a stunning beast! So stoked for you! My opal would be a 7 carat, pillow cut, pinfire pink and orange, with just enough blue to cast some purple flash. 👍🏻🤍

"I'm Going In!" We love this phrase Justin! It let's us know exactly what you're doing and we get just as excited!!

My dream gem would be a fiery red oval opal with a dark potch "lightning" pattern going through the face of the stone. Small enough to be seated in a silver ring. 🤤

Glad to finally meet your dad. You’re so lucky to have had a dad that took time to spend time with you and teach you. My dad never was a part of my life.

My favorite color would be all the colors of the rainbow - those are the colors that make opal unique! And to top it off, a mix of two or three patterns with a lot of depth, to really show what the stone can do.

With cruises having such a big focus on selling gem stones, it would be amazing for you to be a presenter on a cruise and have live cutting sessions and have the gems for sale at the end of each session.

Lost my father when I was 7 years old so I never had that relationship. My mother was very aware so she saw to it that I was surrounded by many excellent role models but it's not the same. I am very lucky to have a wonderful relationship with my son so when you talk about your dad my thoughts are more from your dad's point of view. Thank you for another soul nourishing video.

The ultimate opal for me would have some blue-to-red broad flash pattern with some golden script pattern layered on top. I have expensive dreams! I enjoy all of your opals though.

Wow. What a beaut she is. Magical magical stone. I bet you wished every stone was that straightforward to cut and stress free. It really is a treat to see a master at his craft get so passionate and excited. P.S. what a wonderful father you had. Not only for the knowledge he passed on to you, but the love he showed you. I’m sure you’re a wonderful father too because of it.

That one is gorgeous! If I had any opal I wanted I would like to have a crystal opal with all of the colors of the rainbow included in it.

A dark black, long oval "marquise" high-dome. majority red, yellow and orange. But a nice dash of blue purple, right in the center making a pupil in an iris. Eyes of Fire Opal. I've stared into them long enough, I'm expecting them to stare back.

I love it Justin when you talk about your dad. Was busy watching what you were doing when you started talking about him and I burst into tears. My Dad passed 5 years ago and I miss him. I opened the box my gorgeous opal is in ready to take to my jeweller and instead of just seeing a beautiful stone I now see all the love, care and history of generations associated with it. Thank you.

I think you should get a teeshirt made: I'm going in. 🤣 My perfect colour would have to be ultra violet and vivid orange😍

Justin, could you do a quick lesson on how a "knobby" is formed? Do they develop in clusters, or as singles? and why the white cap? Thanks and congratulations on this beauty!

That is a GORGEOUS stone💥❤

I love to see the full spectrum of colour, everything. Whatever colour, they’re all beautiful 😻 that was a gorgeous stone

Love listening to you talk about your dad, he sounds like a very special man. My favorite opal would be a black opal. My favorite color is green but a multitude of colors would be stunning.

Been looking forward to this, ever since the teaser. ;)

Justin, you look like your dad. I appreciate you for being willing to share all he taught you with the rest of the world. It shows your love of opals and the memories you have tied to them.

That moment when chipping a crack out only makes the dome higher.

"I'm Going In " fans, this gonna be a great brand here, love every minute of it.

I love it when KZfaq is used as a platform by craftsman and artists like this to share their skills and experience

That was a good point to study the opal before cutting. you wanna make sure it's not all lost.

My dream opal would be a black opal with red and orange flakes with a green sheen when the light hits it. This was a lovely video, thank you for sharing.

You're building excitement today 😉 and I am all in. Magnificent! Your excitement is infectious. Thanks for sharing your dad. I'm sure this stone is bringing a lot of shared joy. Brilliant!

For me I'd love to have a black opal with real bright purple with blue and when you look at it kind of looks like the galaxies in space to put on a ring

Part of the charm is seeing what comes to light. They are all beautiful.

I love them all, my favorite is the next one. It's like Christmas every time you open a new opal

You can definitely tell from your words and tone the love and respect you will always have for your dad. It’s so cool to see video of you two. This stone is absolutely stunning. It was a blast seeing and hearing the excitement coming out. You crack me up. We got a dance, guitar solo, and a spin. Nice job. Almost forgot any color or pattern stone cut from you would be my favorite.

The colors of this stone, are the colors I like best. I know red on black is the most valuable, but it doesn't grab my attention like blue and green. When you just barely touched it with the wheel, and the colors were right there on the surface, I was so happy for you. Been some troubled stones, and this one really must have felt so good!

I love it when you show your silliness and excitement. It makes your videos a true joy to watch.

I fell in love with the script pattern...red gold and green...love your presentations

what a stunning piece,love after all the years of shaping stones you still get so excited.

I was once in Australia at an opal store, and I was mesmerized by the colors and shapes and sizes of the most beautiful stones I had ever seen. As I gaped, a salesman came by to ask if I was looking for anything in particular. I said no, but if I were, it would be “that one”, pointing to a round, high-domed, brilliantly bright stone with the most beautiful clear center, filled with all the colors of the rainbow. It wasn’t very big, but it stood out to me, gorgeous against a black back. He said to me, “you have great taste!” Now, I wish I had at least taken a photo just so I could remember what it actually looked like, as my memory of it is blurred. I just know it was spectacular.

Beautiful stone! If I had my pick of colors, I would go with purples, teal, and blue/green. I also like the green and orange combo. Thanks for sharing your passion with us, Justin! You and everyone else at Black Opal Direct are like family that I get to catch up with a couple times a week.

I just want to start out and say I love it and truly appreciate it when you bring your father into your work and especially the stories. It's truly magical. To answer your question on the type of perfect opal I'd love. I'd probably love a nice purple blue and aqua green black opal. With a flagstone,pinfire and broad flash touch of deep red ♥️🍒. I just love opal. I started with it almost 2 years ago. Always by hand, sandpaper, sharpening stone and a fasceting machine to get allot of sand off it. Or sometimes I'd rub a stone with it. It's all I can afford. But it always ends up with me using my hands for shaping, polishing and Dremel for fine polishing. 1 of your first stories of your dad that you had mentioned about a year ago. I had gotten the idea 💡 to use the sharpening stone. From his knowledge and you sharing it. Your father truly is still teaching more then you realize from heaven. Don't ever forget he's always watching over you. Patrick McGovern from USA cheer's mate. Can't wait for the next video and congratulations 🙂

After watching you cut so many pieces that presented you with such tough (and sometimes unsurmountable) challenges, this seemed almost too easy. It must feel great to get those that feel like joy & peace & celebration rather than like a non-stop struggle. Beautiful stone! Thanks for sharing it!

I liked the storytelling and opal cutting combo. Dream opal would be high dome crystal with purple, blue, and depth of color.

Thank you , once again Justin, beautiful workmanship, love the fact you take the time to educate us, and teach us some of the knowledge your dad passed to you. My favourite stone would be red and yellow with some green.

Magnificent stone! And I honestly can't decide between black or crystal they are so different and wonderful but I would know my perfect stone when I saw it.

My favorite colour combination is light turquise lagoon bluegreen with streaks of sunrays and limegreen flashing on top, with dots of magic lavender and deep violet. I do have one like that. I love it and can never see enough of it. 💛💙💚💜

That was a beautiful opal with the blue green pattern. I also see purple which is the colour I like to see. Great to see you happy with your work Justin, thank you

Thank you for mentioning, but not dwelling on the profit motive. You didn't start out by taking a vow of poverty, but your studied focus on a raw stone's potential, and it's expert realization, is a satisfying and balanced reward in it's own way. BTW: Until I'm convinced otherwise, I'd like to see a dominant indigo w/ dark ultramarine traces only, and a very black back. Size unimportant.

What a Ripper of a Gem! Crikey I thought the cracks were going to ruin this gem, but Justin's masterful cutting and polishing produced a beauty. WInner, winner fish taco's for dinner!. Nice to have a winner and thank you Black Opal Direct for sharing this video. Also we got the bonus of seeing Justin bust the moves, you can always rely on those dancing moves of yours Justin, if this opal cutting gig doesn't work out for you mate, lol. Look forward to seeing next weeks video...... Until then Bust a Move.......

Love your appreciation for your father, you do him good justice in following in his footsteps 👍. Nice work on that knobby too 👍

Yes I agree, I'm sitting here crying listening to you talk about your dad and I can feel the level of love admiration and respect you have for him even after he is gone. I wish I had that

That turned out beautiful! My favorite color opal would have red, orange, pink and yellow in script pattern with a deep purple behind it. I love how excited you get… I catch myself getting closer and closer to my screen trying to see what you see and I get as excited as you do when a beautiful pattern and color appears! lol I’m so thankful you had your father as long as you did and such a great relationship. I lost my dad when I was only 6. I lost my mom almost 9 years ago now but it seems like yesterday. She took on both roles raising 3 kids and did an amazing job. She was the greatest lady I’ll ever know, the best friend I could ever have and the most loving, kindest, understanding yet tough when needed mom a kid could be blessed with and I’m so thankful she was my mom. Everyone that knew her loved her. Every time you talk about your dad it touches my heart. I just welcomed my first grandbaby into the world I’m happy to say he’s beautiful, healthy and an October baby!!!! Just as my son is! Now I have 2 excellent reasons to own and wear black opal !!! 🙏❤️😍🥰

This is a beautiful stone and a beautiful video. Your family story is so inspiring. Thank you for sharing the world of Australian black opal with us.

Whatever we mine in the next week while I'm in Grawin will be my favourite, good to be back.

That’s the first time I’ve seen your dad! I think about you two often. It’s nice to put a face to all the stories! Thank you for sharing!!🙏🏻

I love to watch you get excited and dance! As far as color...I love purple, teal and red in a flagstone pattern.

Colors I love we're all in that fabulous impressionist Garden with mostly green and flashes of blue in tiny little hints of red and yellow. A little something Transcendent to look at whenever you want.

❤️ ❤️ ❤️ your energy/enthusiasm ❣️ And your ability to cut such beautiful STONES ❣️❣️❣️

My mother an I love our Opals that my father bought us when he was in the Canadian Military, and he was Navy. He bought them in Australia, and they came in a box with a Certificate of Authenticity of them being from Lightning Ridge. 💖 💖 He bought us both some White Opal rings, N8, B4 stones it says on the certificates. And our own jeweler confirmed that they were Authentic White Opals. We love our rings Justin. Now that I know what those Letters and Numbers mean, they make them even more special, after watching you cut and polish these beautiful gems from Lightning Ridge. Thank you!! From a new subscriber and fan, who can't wait for notifications of new posts. From a Retired Paramedic, Former Recognized Breeder of the Rottweiler Breed of dogs, and now a Horse Trainer in Ontario, Canada, Jenn. 💖 💖 🇨🇦 🇭🇲 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Hey Justin, just wanted to give a special thanks for all the knowledge you have bestowed upon me. I just cut my first opal and I am feeling incredible, couldn't have done it without you! Appreciate you so much

Jason, that is about the most beautiful stone I think I've seen you cut. I'm an artist, and it DOES look just like you're mixing paints on your pallet!

What a beauty just bloody WOW! Such beautiful hues in all those shades Justin! Congratulations it's a winner as are you! Loved your antics in this vid. Greets from Canada! MQH :-)

When I first started watching Cutting of Opal, I thought I would like a turquoise, royal blue and fire engine red stone... I haven't seen one yet and still want one... I enjoy your channel, lots of information, but light and interesting. Especially love the dance!

CONGRATULATIONS Justin!!! So happy for you!!! Beautiful gem.

YAYYYY!!! Oh Justin, it's beautiful! Just stunning. I'm grinning from ear-to-ear right now, haha! It's so good to see you so happy. Great job. My stone? Well, it would be black as night, with every color of the rainbow--especially teal/aqua blue, blood-red, fuschia (mauve), and GOLD! Small to medium flagstone sections with several bits of chaff, tons of layers, and maybe an awesome rolling flash over the top, of either the full color spectrum from red to violet, OR a golden rolling flash or cross/star pattern. Ah...my dream opal. That's the coolest thing about dreams: as long as it's in a dream, it'll always be more beautiful than anything the world can actually produce. But opal is one of the few things in the whole world that comes the closest to a beautiful fantasy. 🙂

...yesss, you went in! and out came a stunning beauty with gorgeous pattern and colour. Deep space opals in all different colours are my favorite ones. I love dving into opalgalaxies... Colours between green and blue and scriptpatterns I do love too ; )

What an absolute beauty! An opal that anyone would be proud to own. I love the reverence that you have for your late father and the humility that you have. Always a kind word for your family and staff. It is a pleasure to watch you at work and gain from your knowledge. Thank you. Favourite colour? Changes with every video!!!!! Greetings from Dimboola in Victoria. 👏😀👍

Just in anything you do is awesome. All the colors of the rainbow. I just think any black opal is beautiful even if it's one color or the colors of the rainbow they are beautiful.

That’s the first time I’ve ever seen your dad!! I think about you two often…. It’s nice to put a face to the stories! 🙏🏻 thank you for sharing!

Your excitement is infectious. Wishing I was there with you. Sharing your technique is worth more then the stones themselves to me. It's like all the best holidays put together every morning when you wake up and go out there. If I could have a favorite color it would be Dark Sienna metallic red with any contrasting color flashes. Love the puzzle pattern on this one. Thank you Justin, for sharing experience with us!

Nice stone! That cackle/giggle you gave was interesting to say the least!

You are such an opal-nut! Love it when everything comes together! Love it when it doesn't (I mean the learning part, not the loss part)! I think I'd prob like a nice, bright green/blue stone, with lil pops of gold or orange, just to make it less "vanilla"? Or - a totally crazy red/purple stone lol Keep spinning ♥️ and those motors humming! - Like a lullaby to me😁

Hearing you talk about your dad makes me miss mine ❤️ God bless you sir

Purple, blue, red and green. Thank you for sharing your father's memories, he sounds like an amazing man and stone cutter, just like you..

The universe came together with this one for you! I’m smiling ear to ear but at the same time staring at a handful of the same style Nobbies I’ve been mapping out for quite some time now but you,your wisdom and courage I have with me now and have to thank you win or lose. You’re really something Justin and what a gem that turned out to be!!🤩✨

Some reason it’s so satisfying to me when I see enthusiasm and happiness from Justin.

This coloring and pattern is amongst my favorite. Reminds me of a chilly winter night in Northern Europe with the aurora borealis dancing in the sky above. Magical.

I really like the "new" style of your videos. You and your team are putting a lot of love and time in all the editing. Video cutting and Stone cutting at it´s best!!! Love it!

Of I could choose any pattern I'd go for something like the script patterned opal you had to split, it had a yellowish script pattern on a dark blue/purple/green background. It was a shame you had to split it but even divided into two smaller stones I've never seen a more mesmerizing opal. I'd choose something like that over more valuable stones without a doubt!

Love the first few seconds of going in. Such excitement. So thanks again

Nostalgia. Beautiful stone. 50% green and 50%, the rest of the spectrum.

Dad must be proud, he is watching and guiding your hands.

What a beautiful opal, that was hidden underneath everything! You did a great job on the wheels!

I just love them all ! Love your work Justin thank you so much for sharing

I always end your videos with a smile on my face. Thanks Justin for all the wonderful smiles. :)

once again MAGNIFICENT!!!!! with all that has happened this year u continue to put a smile on my face and hopefully someday do what u and ur father love doing full time. i am getting there SLOWLY but surely.

Awesome to see you so happy and joyful cutting this opal. She is a Beauty for sure. Looks like a beautiful puzzles with blue & green pieces. What a Stunner!

That deep blue, just happens to be my favorite color. Use it a lot when I'm painting. The flashes of electric green are the perfect highlight.

Justin your laugh is contagious brother. Thank you for another awesome video.

I have seen so many opals with a thick potch layer just so the cutter gets more weight. It makes me so happy to see you balance your cuts even if it means losing a bit of weight . You are an honest humble man Justin just what we need more of in our world. Your father has got to be proud of the man you have become. I really do hope to meat you one day even though we are a world apart. My dream Opal would have red orange and purple I don’t think I have ever seen that combo. Thanks again for your great videos ✌🏻

My favorite Black Opal Direct video yet. Such a great way to have started my day. So many out loud "WOW!"s. Thank you, Justin!

This is so exciting and I'm so curious Justin! I wish you good luck...greetings to you all at Black Opal Direct!👋😊

Well since you asked about favorite colours, I have a little crystal ethiopian opal, not worth much, but what I really enjoy about it is that it surprises you with unexpected flases oh colours. Once I was at home in the semi darkness, my opal in its glass cabinet, only a few electric light bulbs. I turned from my computer and it struck my eyes with this amazing shade of red, almost like an animal's eyes glow in the dark with a minimal source of light. So well, when it comes to colour, I like surprises! Never gets old. That's what is fascinating about your videos, the obvious joy of discovery, those unexpected moments of humour that strike like that surprise flash of color. I was smiling for the lenght of it. I looove opal. I can't afford the best. My free form crystal opal was a stroke of luck on Ebay, believe it or not, its a real one. It's a small beauty, and I hope I can someday have it mounted. I learned on your channel that Ethiopian opal gets dirtied by the skin, so I want a little cage of a setting that wiil keep it from touching the skin. Your passion is catching, and that is what is beautiful about it.

Turned out gorgeous! Love the blues and greens and the neat shapes of the colors!

I get so anxious and immersed in these videos, it's crazy!

Definitely a winner from the rip. Nice to see you get those as well. You've earned them many times over.

You are left with a wonderful legacy. In fact you are your fathers legacy and the best thing he ever made. ❤ Beautiful Stone sir.

You've introduced me to so many new colors and variations. I think I need to watch many more of your videos before I could say what was my favorite. Each time you reveal the magical colors inside the stones I changed my mind about which is my favorite lol. I find this channel so satisfying. Thank you!

I'm in love with the colours of that stone. That's just perfect. You mentioned learning with Witches Hats an how costly it was, the knowledge that day was expensive in the short term, but the knowledge and abilities it afford has peopbably rendered costly to cheap in the long term returns. I am utterly in love with watching your work and with the uncovering of little pieces of magic from the sand. Please never stop showing us, this is stuff that helps to bring a smile to my face.

That’s a beauty Justin! My favorite is the one you cut for me. I wear it every day ♥️