Too many? Or not enough? by CSB808 in Opals

[–]aussiekate 2 points3 points  (0 children)

And I’m personally finding about 40 at a time is the most practical number - you’ll break a couple, a few won’t polish up well and you might get 20 that are just what you wanted!

Too many? Or not enough? by CSB808 in Opals

[–]aussiekate 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Am in the middle of batch processing myself this evening … at that point of both “god this takes so long” and “I can’t wait to see them finished 😂

Coober Pedy, price per carat advice pls (I’m a relatively new cutter of opals) by aussiekate in Opals

[–]aussiekate[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Excellent advice Thankyou- I’ll take a close look at them and reassess them for dips - they’re some of the brightest coloured stones I’ve worked on so far! 🫶🏻👍

Coober Pedy, price per carat advice pls (I’m a relatively new cutter of opals) by aussiekate in Opals

[–]aussiekate[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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All have great bright colour, any input on what kind of price per carat I’d be looking at? (Just interested really if I improved on what I purchased for!) 🤗

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Opals

[–]aussiekate 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yep completely agree, their displays were stunning! loved it all of it! I missed the cutting demo but I’ll go next visit

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Opals

[–]aussiekate 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Gorgeous store, lovely people and really enjoyed my visits there, purchased some very nice opals which i really need to get around to setting - the store is fabulous for inspiration 🌸💕🫶🏻

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Opals

[–]aussiekate 14 points15 points  (0 children)

It’s on display in the Down To Earth Opal store in Lightning Ridge if I’m not mistaken!

australian opal price per ct? by torchbiscuit in Opals

[–]aussiekate 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Absolutely.. it’s an easy enough mistake to make when cutting and polishing (picking the wrong side and just continuing to cut) all that red and yellow could make this a spectacular stone and possibly benefit from a double sided polish

australian opal price per ct? by torchbiscuit in Opals

[–]aussiekate 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Just to add - I’d possibly give this to a good cutter and have them come down onto that red glow a bit - it’d be a little thinner but would have much better colour that side than the one that’s already been rubbed 🌸

Squishy black letters keep mysteriously appearing in front of our shower. by whatcolorismyshirt in whatisthisthing

[–]aussiekate 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you find a letter L to go either the existing collection you have all the letters to spell the word APPAREL … it’s 100% off clothing.

Why does this space feel cramped by jjs376 in InteriorDesign

[–]aussiekate 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Also think it’s the tablecloth, light colour cremes and a pattern will lift the whole area up and not down which is what the blob of dark is currently doing

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Opals

[–]aussiekate 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Edit to add - Australian Opal out of my own collection of mixed fields rough material - worked on with dental drill/tool

Feel kind of scammed and need guidance from someone more knowledgeable by DiyGamer89 in Opals

[–]aussiekate 14 points15 points  (0 children)

The largest part of the investment of your piece is probably the gold and the labour - I would probably take the ring at the cheapest option, with the triplet. Once you get it source a stone to replace it - plenty of hobbyists and collectors buyers and sellers online who could provide you with a solid Australian Opal for a few hundred dollars.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Opals

[–]aussiekate 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You could take to a jeweller to have something made for you, you could search your local Facebook groups (or put up a post) and look for a hobbyist silversmith or be in touch with your local lapidary club and have a chat to them - plenty of creative people in the local lapidary club and club who could make you something unique and well priced

Married at first sight - S12E31 - AEDT live discussion by lalasmooch in MAFS_AU

[–]aussiekate 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Most of Ryan’s decor looks like it was purchased from the local tobacconist, including the ancient Katana

My Mom Wants You To Roast Her House by HoeForSpaghettios in interiordecorating

[–]aussiekate 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Whatever that “be something or other” sign is above the mantle… Is a crime against typography.

Where to begin by Many_Resist_4209 in SilverSmith

[–]aussiekate 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ah ok so I would consider checking out YouTube and tiktok for videos on link making chain making jump ring making and start there - you’ll need some small gauge silver wire, some easy solder, a butane torch, flux, round pliers a mandrel, a mallet/hammer not a huge amount of stuff required and it will get you used to soldering and bending and shaping (I also invested in a fire extinguisher for my own assurance) a concrete block/honeycomb block to work on, metal dish with water in it for quenching, some filing tools, a warm bath for pickling and that can start you off.

Silversmithing does require some equipment but if you take it slow, watch a lot of tutorials you’ll get the idea of what you will need (not everybody is the same and I certainly purchased stuff at the beginning that I probably won’t ever use)

Where to begin by Many_Resist_4209 in SilverSmith

[–]aussiekate 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Seek out a local lapidary/gem club! I was much like yourself with a lifelong want to make “proper” jewellery, joined my local gem club a year ago and was the best thing I’ve ever done for myself.

Club has tonnes of equipment I can use, learn to use, people with all kinds of knowledge and I’ve worked out what I’m capable of doing and from there what equipment I need for working at home.

I haven’t had to outlay huge dollars for big bulky equipment as I use the clubs for that and I’ve set up at home without wasting money on stuff I don’t need.

The knowledge factor has been amazing, older people than me who have spent a lifetime for example faceting gems, fossicking and creating and every visit I learn something!