Why Opal Cutting Can Be a Gamble
In the opal world, you’ll often hear the phrase “opal cutting is a gamble.” And honestly, it’s not far from the truth. Rough opal is full of hidden surprises, cracks, inclusions, sand spots, and colour bars that don’t always behave the way you expect. You never truly know what you’re working with until the cutting wheel touches the stone.
Sometimes you win big… and sometimes you don’t. That’s all part of the craft.
Check out one of my biggest gambles here:
The Reality of Cutting Rough Opal
When cutting an opal from the rough, it’s completely normal to lose up to 80% of the original weight before you reach your final polished gem. That might sound extreme, but it’s the nature of the material. The goal is always to reveal the best colour and shape possible, even if it means sacrificing size.
But here’s the good news: with experience, knowledge of opal fields, and careful inspection, the “gamble” becomes more of an educated guess.
How to Reduce the Risk When Cutting Opal
You can never eliminate the gamble entirely , but you can definitely stack the odds in your favour. Here are a few ways to reduce risk when buying or cutting rough opal:
- Choose rough from fields you know - certain opal fields consistently produce better colour and more stable material.
- Buy from trusted miners or reputable sellers - relationships matter in the opal world.
- Inspect the rough carefully - whether in person or via high‑quality video, always look for colour bars, potch lines, and potential inclusions.
- Never spend more than you can afford to lose - even the best cutters take losses sometimes.
Opal cutting is a blend of skill, intuition, and a little bit of luck. That’s what makes it exciting, and why every finished gem feels like a small victory.
Need Help With Your Own Rough Opal?
If you ever have questions about how to tackle your own rough opal, or if you’d like professional cutting done for you, I’m always happy to help.