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I didn't cut any of these, I am showing them exactly as they were out of storage. But someone did, probably 30 or 40 years ago :)

Honestly never crossed my mind, but I don't know how either...

@earthartgems , it's really easy. I did it with the first opal I bought, and all I did was wrap the 5 carat opal in kleenex and burned the kleenex. I did it about four times, and the opal went from crystal clear to a deep brown with a lot of red, colorful flashing. I guess it's the same effect as making an Australian opal into a doublet. The dark background shows up the colors. I have a big piece of Ethiopian that looks like amber glass since I took all the host rock off it. But it's a water opal, hydrophane? So I can't dry it out without it cracking to pieces, or I would try smoking it to bring the colour back.

You're welcome, glad it was helpful!

Thank you Pat!

I do not sell these

The best article I've found on it is located here: turquoisemoose.com/blogs/shining-gems/the-ultimate-guide-to-white-buffalo-turquoise It is indeed very expensive due to only being mined in one place. But one aspect to be clear on is that it has very little to do with actual Native American History, despite it's namesake. It was discovered only 31 years ago in 1993 so its a relatively new player on the gemstone market. It's name was inspired by Native American Lore. Some see it as a clever marketing ploy, while others do enjoy it for it's pure white and black patterns and natural purity. Ultimately, it is up to you, the buyer to decide if you feel it is worth the higher price. There are similar stones that look very close, but for cheaper. Bottom line: It's priced higher due to a monopoly on the supply, in my opinion. It's very easy to confuse with howlite or magnesite. There are also a few other look-alikes on the market from different locales but they tend to have subtle teal hue or browner viens.

Thank you

@@kathycouch8273 You're welcome, hope it helps :)

Not all Ethiopian opal is hydrophane, some of it can be left to dry and then cut into stable cabochons suitable for jewelry.

@@earthartgems apakah opal hydrophane,membutuhkan air,untuk kandungan dalam diri nya,agar kemilau warna nya bagus.??

@@papa_dowski4296 There are two types of hydrophane opal: Specimen grade MUST be kept wet at all times. Jewelry grade can be taken out of water and allowed to dry and be cut into cabs and set in jewelry. Hydrophane opal simply means it absorbs water. When these opals absorb water, then become translucent. While they are translucent, the fire or "color play' is harder to see than when they are opaque (in my opinion). The degree to which each opal will change is going to vary from stone to stone. Some ethiopian opals are already rather clear in their dry state, so they will not change much in water, while others will have a very opaque base so they will change drastically when they get wet.

Me too, thank you!

at least with a doublet you can easily figure it out once you have it in hand... I've found that a good seller will usually also post side and back pictures of their stones.

It was a totally different venue about 15 years ago...

Thank you Gisella

You make a great point. If I had more information on the exact local from where those opals had come from, I would have added it.

Trying to... I've found the best test is just years of looking at stones...

Not really sure... From what I know of most jade experts, they can identify based on the look, feel and heft, but do not really use any at-home tests. Just their many many years of experience.

several possible causes: I've found if the glue is old, it looses effectiveness. I've also had better luck if I vigorously shake the bottle before each use... I am not sure why, as it does not seem to need to be mixed... If it is too cold, it will not cure very quickly. If there is any oil on the stone (like from your hands) it will not adhere well. make sure to clean the stone surface. if none of those work, and you're using the same glue as I am in the video, then try a different glue, buy a different bottle of the same glue, or switch to wax.

You don't have rock shows over there? Maybe these are more of an American thing. A lot of the vendors are older rock hounds and that might not be a popular European hobby...

@@earthartgems They're few and far between and usually aimed more at rock collectors.

@@Gazz_R These shows are defiantly a mix, there were plenty of vendors here selling rocks, slabs for cutting, geodes and random chunks of material they'd collected, etc... Plus quite a few jewelery vendors too. Many of them selling mass made junk, but there was at least one other vendor there I knew who like myself, did his own work. I used to sell at these shows, but it was a lot of work and the payoff was always lower than what I would have liked.

@@earthartgems I'll try and visit a few over the summer and see what they have to offer.

This was in Atascadero, CA over the past weekend

Thank you!