Day 3 was supposed to be all about setting stones.
In reality, it was all about concentration.
After spending the first two days preparing silver, refining settings, and getting everything ready, it was finally time to start securing the opals into their finished pieces. This is one of the most satisfying parts of making handmade opal jewellery, but it's also one of the easiest stages to get wrong.
When you're working with Australian opals, there isn't much room for mistakes. One slip with a setting tool, graver, or polishing wheel can turn hours of work into a very bad day.
Stone Setting Requires Complete Focus
People often imagine jewellery making as a relaxing hobby, but some stages require complete concentration.
Setting opals is definitely one of them.
Every movement matters. You don't want to accidentally touch the stone with a hammer tool while tightening the bezel, and you certainly don't want to catch the surface of an opal while cleaning up the metal afterwards.
It's detailed work that demands patience, focus, and occasionally knowing when it's time to walk away and come back later with a clear head.
That's exactly what happened during today's session.
The Cat Paw Pendant Had To Be Finished
While most of the collection is being built for stock, one piece had a deadline.
A custom cat paw pendant had already been spoken for as an anniversary gift, making it completely non-negotiable.
The design features a beautiful cat's-eye broad flash opal sitting as the centre paw pad, surrounded by a simple silver design that really lets the stone do the talking.
To make it even more personal, the customer's anniversary date has been engraved on the back of the pendant.
It's always rewarding making custom opal jewellery when there's a story behind the piece. Knowing it's being created to celebrate something meaningful makes the extra effort worthwhile.
Coffee, Concentration, And Getting Back To Work
After taking a break and securing a fresh coffee supply, it was time to get back to the bench.
Sometimes that's all you need.
A clear head, a bit of patience, and another attempt.
Once the stone was seated correctly and the setting began to tighten around it, everything started coming together exactly as planned.
The cat paw pendant was finally looking like the finished piece I had imagined from the start.
One Ring Turned Out Better Than Expected
One of the highlights of the day was completing a ring featuring a freeform opal.
I've always loved freeform stones because they don't follow perfect shapes or predictable designs. Every one is unique.
Instead of positioning this stone perfectly straight, I deliberately set it at a slight angle to give the piece more character.
The result is a ring that immediately grabs your attention without being overcomplicated.
Sometimes a design works exactly as you hoped.
And occasionally, it turns out even better.
I have to admit, I was genuinely impressed with how this one came together.
Almost Finished
By the end of the session, most of the jewellery was complete.
The stones had been set, the bezels refined, and the pieces were finally starting to resemble a proper collection of handmade Australian opal jewellery.
There were still a few final jobs left to tackle, including attaching the last components and giving everything a final polish.
It's amazing how much difference that last polishing stage makes. The silver comes alive, the colours inside the opal become more vibrant, and the entire piece takes on a finished, professional appearance.
Watch Day 3
The Collection Is Finally Taking Shape
What started as a collection of loose opals sitting in storage is slowly becoming a complete range of handcrafted opal jewellery.
After setting the stones, refining the bezels, attaching the final components, and giving each piece its polish, it's incredibly satisfying to see everything come together.
Some designs have turned out exactly as planned. Others have surprised me and ended up looking even better than I expected.
There are still plenty of ideas, designs, and stones waiting their turn on the bench, but this batch is finally starting to show what I've been working towards over the last few days.
Turning loose Australian opals into finished jewellery has been a challenge, but it's also been one of the most rewarding projects I've tackled in a long time.
Day 3 is complete.
Now it's time to step back, admire the results, and start thinking about what to make next.