OPAL FACETING

[REXL]

Is there a "BEST" cut for facetting opal. I have some Lambina gold jelly but do not wish to waste it in experimenting.
Rex

[Aussie Sapphire]

Sorry - cant help at all although I like the idea of faceted opal.  An unusual thing which looks great when done well.

Gearloose posted this photo for the gallery a while back - Lambina Opal faceted:



Hopefully the experts will help us out on this one.

cheers
Leah

[gammyknee]

I have never facetted opal but I would assume that to get the maximum yield from the rough, like all stone,it depends on the rough and what shape you can get from it.
You would want the stone to display its colours so maybe less facets would be better than lots. A reference I have recommends pavillion mains 45, girdle 47.
Notice the size of the table on the stone Gearloose has cut.

Anyone?

[moonshadow_dancer]

Hi all,

I have faceted opal before, and you need to use lots of coolant as it chips and chards very easy, especially close to the culet.

I found it facets well if care is taken, the ones I did had been out of water for quite a few years, and I think they cure or something, as it was like grinding ironstone.

I did a few different designs and like gammyknee said, its best to choose a design that maximizes your rough to its greatest potential.

Take Care
Deb   

[mehoose]

Rex,
On Jeff Grahams site I notice he has 2 designs for opal.
One in addition 2 and the other in addition 3.

http://www.faceters.com/designs/

This came from Aussie Sapphire in the Information and reviews section.
Click the link to your left 'Visit us on the Web', find the info and review section, click on it and down the bottom it's in the faceting diagram section.

Merryn.