Cutting Opal
Cutting opal requires a great deal of skill and precision, as opal is a delicate and fragile gemstone that can crack or break easily if mishandled. The cutting process involves shaping and polishing the stone to enhance its natural beauty and reveal its play of colour.
The first step in cutting opal is to carefully inspect the stone to determine its unique properties, such as the direction of the play of colour and any natural inclusions or flaws that may affect the cutting process. The opal is then marked with a design or pattern that will best showcase its colours and beauty.
Next, the opal is sawn into a rough shape using a diamond saw or blade. The rough shape is then ground and polished using progressively finer diamond grinding and polishing wheels to achieve the desired shape and finish. The final step involves buffing the stone with a soft cloth or polishing wheel to enhance its lustre and brilliance.
It's important to note that cutting opal is a highly specialized skill that should only be attempted by experienced professionals. Opal cutters use specialized tools and techniques to work with the delicate nature of the stone, and even a small mistake can ruin the entire piece.
Polishing Opal
Polishing opal is an important step in the process of cutting and finishing the stone. It is the final step in revealing the stone's beauty, lustre, and play of colour.
The polishing process typically involves the use of a series of diamond polishing wheels, with each wheel having progressively finer grit. The wheels are made of various materials, such as tin oxide, cerium oxide, or diamond powder, and are used in a specific sequence to achieve the desired finish.
To begin the polishing process, the opal is first ground to remove any rough edges or scratches using a coarse diamond grinding wheel. The stone is then moved to a finer grinding wheel, and the process is repeated until the desired smoothness is achieved. Once the stone is ground to the desired shape and smoothness, the polishing process can begin.
The polishing process starts with a wheel with coarse grit that removes the scratches left by the grinding process. The stone is then moved to a finer grit wheel, and the process is repeated until the stone is polished to the desired level. The final polish is usually done using a soft cloth and a polishing compound, which helps to enhance the opal's lustre and bring out its natural play of colour.
It is important to note that opal is a delicate stone, and it is essential to be careful during the polishing process. Overheating or excessive pressure can cause the opal to crack or even shatter. Thus, opal polishing requires a steady hand and a gentle touch. It is best to leave opal polishing to experienced professionals who have the necessary tools and expertise to achieve the desired results without damaging the stone.
