A Beautiful Hobby

In “A Beautiful Selecting, Salvaging, and Caring For Welo Ethiopian Opal” I describe the problems I’ve encountered working with Welo Ethiopian Opal and provide solutions to those problems that work for me. I also present a method of removing gem quality opal from matrix and waste opal that’s cheap, quick, pretty easy, and allows you the means to gather the maximum amount of precious opal from each stone. Finally, I provide simple methods for protecting and caring for the opal while it’s being worked and after it’s become the beautiful gemstone you’ve always hoped to own. I made sure all the pieces of opal rough shown and used in this book were from parcels listed as “mine run” by the dealer I buy from. Mine run opal rough is the lowest and cheapest grade he sells and is made up of individual pieces, each with matrix, mudrock, and decomposed opal attached, normally ranging in size from about 2 ½ carats to 25 carats. I used only these “leftovers,” that most lapidaries didn’t want, to see if I could produce beautiful gemstones that artists and everyday people would be proud of. Since none of the pieces in this book have been treated or enhanced in any way and the pictures have not been doctored, I think I’ve succeeded.