thank you for posting this trilogy. it sparks my interest in doublet and triplets. those stones were pretty nice, only a snob would reject a chance to own one. also, the videography of you smoothing the excess glass/rough was some of the best i have seen.
Thanks for your feedback. When I was first trained in the processing opal triplets 40 years ago, finishing the back was as important as finishing the front.
Thank you for watching and your feedback. We have made many videos relating to processing opal which may be of help to you. With a lot of information now available on the internet, books may not be in demand. I'm not able to recommend any books. I learnt my skills 45 years ago and have developed them by experimentation.
Thank you for your channel, I learned a lot. I have one question; I have a triplet and there are scratches on the clear cap. What would be the best way to remove the scratches, also I don't have machinery? Regards John M
Hello John, thanks for your feedback and question. I will assume the cap is either glass or quartz. Without machinery it's going to be a hard process. If the cap is quartz, its going to be a very hard process. It is possible to do it by hand on wet and dry paper, keeping in mind the paper needs to be good quality going and as fine a grade as possible, using it wet. Maybe a #5000 grit. Then polish on cerium oxide. If the colour of triplet is not "A" or Gem it may not be worth all the effort you will need to put in. Hope you have success.
@@johnmartorana3295 Just as a follow up, it will be best to dop your triplet onto a piece of dowel or nail head with a 5 minute epoxy which can be taken off in hot water after. In this way you will have better control of the triplet.
I recently came across some partially made opal triplets that were in a rock shop an they have been in the same jug of water for The past 40 years! When they arrived they were cracked and some had opaque spots where the opal had come loose from the black backings!(they were shipped dry) so hes sending me the other 20 pieces in the original water! Can you let me know what to do to save them and keep them stable and prevent them from cracking? thanks for the awesome videos Russell
Hello Russell, I don't think any of the slices will be salvageable. They should never be stored in water. The damage occurred in the water not as they dried. If by some chance the 20 pieces don't have cracks and are flat, I would suggest you paint the exposed surface of opal black, allow it to dry, glue frosted glass to the painted surface then lap off the opposite side, the side that has water damage. This process can be a little tricky so take your time with a finer grade of diamond lap. I hope you have success.
I have a small question, since we need the background to be dark, why is it important to use epoxy that dries clear? Isn't it for our advantage if we found absolute black epoxy?
Thanks for your question. The clarity of the the epoxy is important for gluing on of the cap. The base is not so important as long as it is a quality one and I would recommend a 24 hour curing epoxy.
Great series , they all look Great
Thanks for your feedback. Glad the video was of interest to you.
YOUR GREAT!
Thank you for your encouragement.
thank you for posting this trilogy. it sparks my interest in doublet and triplets. those stones were pretty nice, only a snob would reject a chance to own one.
also, the videography of you smoothing the excess glass/rough was some of the best i have seen.
Thanks for your feedback. When I was first trained in the processing opal triplets 40 years ago, finishing the back was as important as finishing the front.
@@diverseopalproducts i agree
good info again mate
Thank you. Your feedback is always appreciated.
Just watched number three. Great info. I'm just waiting on an order so I can start my journey with opal. Greetings from Dimboola in Victoria
I am sure it will be an interesting journey.
@@diverseopalproducts 🙂
You can mix the epoxy on a small square of foil rather than cardboard.
Es un bonito trabajo de arte 🌷👏
Thank you for your feedback.
Thanks for the guide mate, interesting to see. Liking all three videos!
Thank you you for your feedback. I am glad they were of interest to you.
very informative, more please. And do you have any good book tips about opal?
Thank you for watching and your feedback. We have made many videos relating to processing opal which may be of help to you. With a lot of information now available on the internet, books may not be in demand. I'm not able to recommend any books. I learnt my skills 45 years ago and have developed them by experimentation.
Nice job, where do you get the backing material from Robert. Thanks for sharing
Thanks Jeff. You should be able to find that info under the video in the description area. They are 49x49x0.9mm glass sheets.
Hi there, I have an opal picture and wonder if it's a thing and where would you suggest I try and find help to repair the peacock piece
Thank you for your channel, I learned a lot. I have one question; I have a triplet and there are scratches on the clear cap. What would be the best way to remove the scratches, also I don't have machinery? Regards John M
Hello John, thanks for your feedback and question. I will assume the cap is either glass or quartz. Without machinery it's going to be a hard process. If the cap is quartz, its going to be a very hard process. It is possible to do it by hand on wet and dry paper, keeping in mind the paper needs to be good quality going and as fine a grade as possible, using it wet. Maybe a #5000 grit. Then polish on cerium oxide. If the colour of triplet is not "A" or Gem it may not be worth all the effort you will need to put in. Hope you have success.
Thank you for the reply Robert, I would like to send you some photos just to make sure this is right but it is not allowing me.@@diverseopalproducts
@@johnmartorana3295 Just as a follow up, it will be best to dop your triplet onto a piece of dowel or nail head with a 5 minute epoxy which can be taken off in hot water after. In this way you will have better control of the triplet.
I recently came across some partially made opal triplets that were in a rock shop an they have been in the same jug of water for
The past 40 years! When they arrived they were cracked and some had opaque spots where the opal had come loose from the black backings!(they were shipped dry) so hes sending me the other 20 pieces in the original water! Can you let me know what to do to save them and keep them stable and prevent them from cracking? thanks for the awesome videos
Russell
Hello Russell, I don't think any of the slices will be salvageable. They should never be stored in water. The damage occurred in the water not as they dried. If by some chance the 20 pieces don't have cracks and are flat, I would suggest you paint the exposed surface of opal black, allow it to dry, glue frosted glass to the painted surface then lap off the opposite side, the side that has water damage. This process can be a little tricky so take your time with a finer grade of diamond lap. I hope you have success.
@@diverseopalproducts thanks that’s a great idea! I’ll give it a shot!! I’ll let you know if I’m successful! Thanks for getting back to me!!🙏
I have a small question, since we need the background to be dark, why is it important to use epoxy that dries clear? Isn't it for our advantage if we found absolute black epoxy?
Or is it just colored epoxy that works against us?
Thanks for your question. The clarity of the the epoxy is important for gluing on of the cap. The base is not so important as long as it is a quality one and I would recommend a 24 hour curing epoxy.
@@diverseopalproducts Thank you 👌🏻