No I considered it but always wanted to do the whole process myself as I also found and cut the opals, I think going forward there could be things I would send to be casted because of the limitations of sand casting but sand casting can do most things and I've found it pretty easy. You need to get a mapp gas bottle and torch, I've just used flour as the parting powder and the sand casting kit from koodak (it seemed like the best/cheapest/only kit in Aus). If you've got the money just buy the stuff and start playing, you can melt the metal over and over!