I actually really like the purple and crystal stuff. It makes cool picture Stones if you get the ribbons of milky ,dark and black potch opal through it .
@@RoysRocks So careful it's taking me months to get it done! I'm impressed with how hard this Aussie seam opal is. Even the potch is a pretty blue-pink milky grey color. I want to practice carving intaglios with it. Do you know if potch can be dyed?
Yeah doublet material if you are into that. Some hate doublets but for those that love the process of doublets or inlay thin crystal opal is the dream.
I've got a few pieces of that stuff, it was clean when I got it in some chips I bought. I've been wondering about it, because it looks like light purple coloured bits of glass. It doesn't have any flash in it at all. Doesn't that make it potch, Roy? I didn't know if it was opal for sure. I have a few mystery stones that people chipped in with the chips I bought. You can tell that they were trying to shape them and then stopped, but they don't look like opal either. Do you know why that opal is purplish? I wonder if it all comes from the same location and if it's all shell pieces? I love these videos! I'm turning 70 shortly and I'm loving this new interest of mine. I haven't had so many questions since I was a kid in primary school, sorry about writing you a book length comment every time I write to you Roy. My doctor says I have ADHD can you imagine that? 😀
I always describe this stuff as purple jelly (much of it can be shell). Its always got a bit of colour to it and it can actually make crazy purple flash doublets (which is about all you can do with it). There are a few mines around Coober Pedy that produce it but certainly some more than others. Haha questions are not a bad thing. Can shorten the time to learn things by a huge amount.
Might find bits and pieces in beginner grade Coober Pedy parcels but my bag is just from noodling finds. You can get much more reliable material from Jullian Stavreas for a cheap price.
Yeah all depends on the type of opal you want. Over the years I've put together a list of go to sellers for each material. I still try new ones everynow and then add well.
Its hard to buy roughs these days. The price of low quality has gone up so much its like you pay over 100 for 5 dollar stone. I avoid the auctions. I tried and I was so disappointed in the materials. They sell their scraps that way. Whatever money they make off it is pure profit.
Yeah can be very tough to find the right seller. I'm happy that the opal world is growing but unfortunately with that you get a few trying to make a quick buck and screwing over everyone. I like auctions but I'm a cheap skate and try to just snag ones with little interest for massive bargains. Gets harder to find them these days though.
Thanks Roy. I learn something new every video. 😀👍
No worries Nancy. 👍
Great video Roy, one of my favourites so far.
Really?! I always hesitate uploading stones that dont work out. I'll do another seam crystal guide with a high quality stone to show the difference.
Such a pretty colour, pity there wasn't more of it 😁
Yeah or just cleaner. A black backing can help out a lot but the cloudiness is an issue in this one.
Like your shaped stones for a unique ring stone with the “bumps and ridges.”
I just need the skills to be able to set them. 2021 was meant to be the year but those plans died thanks to covid.
I actually really like the purple and crystal stuff. It makes cool picture Stones if you get the ribbons of milky ,dark and black potch opal through it .
True. I mostly use it for getting nice blue and purple doublets.
good info mate
No worries. 👌
Thanks Roy - gives me good ideas of what to do with some of my little pieces!
Bit of creativity and I'm sure you will make something out of it.
Nice Roy, use bits like this in resin work, pops of colour in a coaster or something of the sort. Thanks for sharing
Yeah inlay work is always an option. I have never been great at it though 😂
I have such a piece that I've been slowly working on. Taking off the sand without hurting the flash is a challenge.
Yeah just got to keep with a low dome and be real careful.
@@RoysRocks So careful it's taking me months to get it done! I'm impressed with how hard this Aussie seam opal is. Even the potch is a pretty blue-pink milky grey color. I want to practice carving intaglios with it. Do you know if potch can be dyed?
@@2degucitas I've never done any dying myself just classic carbon treating for the blackening. I suppose it would work if porous enough but not sure.
Gotta catch up on some videos 👍
Yo I haven't seen your name pop up in a while. Been checking out your videos as they come up still 👌😁
Cheers for the tips mate, I have just been getting into some dremeling lately and any tips help.
No worries Colin, Always happy to help when I can. What kind of material are you working with?
Hi totally agree not my favorite it can look nice but im not really into it as you say its good for doublets tho ,Good info .
Yeah doublet material if you are into that. Some hate doublets but for those that love the process of doublets or inlay thin crystal opal is the dream.
I've got a few pieces of that stuff, it was clean when I got it in some chips I bought. I've been wondering about it, because it looks like light purple coloured bits of glass. It doesn't have any flash in it at all. Doesn't that make it potch, Roy?
I didn't know if it was opal for sure.
I have a few mystery stones that people chipped in with the chips I bought. You can tell that they were trying to shape them and then stopped, but they don't look like opal either.
Do you know why that opal is purplish? I wonder if it all comes from the same location and if it's all shell pieces? I love these videos! I'm turning 70 shortly and I'm loving this new interest of mine.
I haven't had so many questions since I was a kid in primary school, sorry about writing you a book length comment every time I write to you Roy. My doctor says I have ADHD can you imagine that? 😀
I always describe this stuff as purple jelly (much of it can be shell). Its always got a bit of colour to it and it can actually make crazy purple flash doublets (which is about all you can do with it).
There are a few mines around Coober Pedy that produce it but certainly some more than others.
Haha questions are not a bad thing. Can shorten the time to learn things by a huge amount.
Quick question where can we find material like that for purchase?
Might find bits and pieces in beginner grade Coober Pedy parcels but my bag is just from noodling finds. You can get much more reliable material from Jullian Stavreas for a cheap price.
Great video, do you have and opal dealers you recommend?
Yeah all depends on the type of opal you want. Over the years I've put together a list of go to sellers for each material. I still try new ones everynow and then add well.
Its hard to buy roughs these days. The price of low quality has gone up so much its like you pay over 100 for 5 dollar stone. I avoid the auctions. I tried and I was so disappointed in the materials. They sell their scraps that way. Whatever money they make off it is pure profit.
Yeah can be very tough to find the right seller. I'm happy that the opal world is growing but unfortunately with that you get a few trying to make a quick buck and screwing over everyone. I like auctions but I'm a cheap skate and try to just snag ones with little interest for massive bargains. Gets harder to find them these days though.
God knows I’ve bought a lot of that from Coober for way too much.
Well best get to making doublets for it to recoup them costs for more! Its not all that bad and sometimes one will surprise you.