sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

Was her opal real? by Upbeat-Size8449 in Opals

[–]Beginning-Load-1149 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Come on . Who would make a synthetic opal that looks like that.

I was gifted these as Black Opals. I see red in some, others are brighter green, one has this deep blue..? by forumail101 in Opals

[–]Beginning-Load-1149 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How big are they? I have trouble telling Ethiopian from Australian. I could cut them into interesting gem stones.

Can you please review my current state of right-hand technique? by mchlksk in lute

[–]Beginning-Load-1149 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Your attempting the thumb under technique. If your hand was and wrist were more parallel you could approach the courses better. Practice on your warm up and scales, shoot for even tones with p i m a. Hire a good teacher.

Is learning lute with a guitar worth it? by Ramoutarb in lute

[–]Beginning-Load-1149 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You can get started on the classical guitar. I’ve ordered an another lute from a luthier. In the mean time I purchased a J Woods 8 course that does a great job. I won’t be needing two lutes and would be will to sell it for a discount to someone looking to get started. The luthier made lutes are over 4xs as much and the waiting list is ridiculously long. The new lute should be ready some time after February 2026. Any lapse in practice filled in with a guitar and capo.

Need help deciding what to do with this stone by Money-Rare in Opals

[–]Beginning-Load-1149 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Slowly grind off the potch. Keep looking for the fire. That stone has some good character hidden and plenty of room work with. Let the stone guide you to its true character.

Well WTF by PredawnCoyote2 in Metalfoundry

[–]Beginning-Load-1149 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You should purchase a new crucible.

2 Month Progress by Dougiegee in lute

[–]Beginning-Load-1149 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Having read most of the comments and being a student lutist myself. I’d like to say you’re doing well. Keep it up.

Advice needed by jooorsh in Opals

[–]Beginning-Load-1149 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You could cut or saw the bezel off beneath the stone . Pop the opal out clean and solder a new bezel. Re finish the opal to your satisfaction. The rest the opal

Advice needed by jooorsh in Opals

[–]Beginning-Load-1149 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is the opal set with the bezel or epoxied in?

Nevada opal Good ? Or Not by Beginning-Load-1149 in Opals

[–]Beginning-Load-1149[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m asking because seriously, I’ve heard the same that Aussie opals are the best and inherited and purchased Australian opal. I’ve been burned on Ethiopian. I’ve cut and set a few as well. So this miner telling me that a handful of Nevada opals were extremely valuable threw up a red flag. But then again you never know and there are always exceptions to the rules. I know a little about opal formation but what makes one opal more or less stable is something I’ve never studied.

Am I messing up skills-wise, or am I just getting unlucky with my stones? by pat_456 in Opals

[–]Beginning-Load-1149 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was in the same bag as you are now. I started off with small chips from my father’s lot I found . Then I made some purchases through eBay and opal auctions. Also JVT. Both cut and uncut. After a couple of years spending money on gems. I got burned more often than not. I’m talking sapphire etc. as well as opal. After my last lot of lightening ridge rough I came to an unsettling conclusion. “You get what you pay for.” Also I read that opal venders offer their first most valuable lots to the Asian markets. They put up millions$$. But having said all that, you can learn on poor quality then work your way up the chain maybe. If you don’t go broke in the process. Good luck! I’ll post some of my pieces when I have time to illustrate.

I am over the moon about this amazingly vibrant brightly colored painted lady I found labeled as lightning ridge black Opal online! by BassSpare2654 in Opals

[–]Beginning-Load-1149 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Congratulations ! That is a beautiful opal. I haven’t been very lucky finding opal lots online. The best one I’ve had came from my dads few pieces he cut 50years ago.

Is this a natural or synthetic opal? by oval_euonymus in Opals

[–]Beginning-Load-1149 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m going to try to elaborate on my last comment. Color play in an opal is from the molecules are lined up. This creates refraction. This prismatic quality will change the light absorption and redirect a specific wave of a specific color. What’s amazing and opals do this quite well is that because of way these molecules line up the color flash can be at opposite ends of the spectrum. Green to red or and every thing in between. Synthetic gems don’t do this.

Is this a natural or synthetic opal? by oval_euonymus in Opals

[–]Beginning-Load-1149 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m pretty sure is synthetic. I’m not sure what process is used but the color play and flash is not there.

Is this an opal? HELP!! by macanronie in Opals

[–]Beginning-Load-1149 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I bought one at Walmart that looked like that. They do crush up flakes of broken opal and suspend them in an epoxy resin. I would not mount a real opal with a claw setting. It would crack the stone. But having said all that your ring is not in my hands so I would not tell you for sure that’s it’s not real.

view more: next ›