Part 3: Interested in Cutting Opal? What You Need to Know Before You Start
So, you've fallen in love with opal and the idea of cutting your own stones is taking hold. Maybe you've watched a few TikTok videos, admired someone else's cut gems, or seen that magical play-of-colour first-hand. Opal cutting can seem like an irresistible hobby — and for many, it is.
But before you rush to buy tools or order your first parcel of rough opal, there are a few critical things you need to know. Like any hobby, opal cutting has its learning curve, costs, and frustrations. Setting realistic expectations now will save you disappointment later and help you approach this journey with the right mindset.
In this article, we’ll explore what every beginner should understand before starting their opal cutting journey, ensuring you're prepared for both the rewards and the challenges ahead.
Opal Cutting Is Not Like Other Lapidary Crafts
One of the first things to understand is that opal is not like other gemstones. Unlike agate, quartz, or jasper, opal is soft, fragile, and unpredictable. Its silica-based structure can be brittle, prone to cracking under heat or pressure. It also contains water, which can affect how it behaves when cut.
In many lapidary disciplines, a rough stone can be examined, planned, and cut with predictable results. With opal, surprises are part of the game — sometimes good, sometimes bad. Hidden sand spots, internal cracks, or potch (common opal with no colour) can appear when you least expect them.
This is part of what makes opal exciting, but it also means you need to approach the hobby with patience, respect for the stone, and a willingness to accept losses.
Expect to Lose Stones (Especially at the Start)
One of the hardest truths for beginners to swallow is that you will ruin stones. You will crack them. You will cut through colour. You will over-grind them until there’s nothing left. It’s part of the learning process.
No amount of reading, watching videos, or advice can replace hands-on experience. Opal cutting is a tactile craft — you learn by doing, failing, and learning from those failures.
This is why it’s essential to start with inexpensive, beginner-friendly rough, such as Coober Pedy seam opal or off-cuts. Don't start with that pricey Lightning Ridge black opal you bought on impulse — save that for when your skills are ready.
Understanding the Costs (It’s Not Always Cheap)
While opal cutting is often called an affordable hobby (and compared to golf or car restoration, it is), there are still costs involved. Tools, consumables, rough opal, and safety equipment all add up.
Many beginners are surprised at how quickly they burn through diamond bits, sandpaper, and polish. Cheap tools might seem attractive at first, but they often frustrate beginners by producing poor results or failing altogether.
That said, you don't need to spend thousands to get started. Start simple, with a Dremel, some diamond bits, and a few affordable stones, and scale up as your passion and skills grow.
Opal Requires Respectful Handling and Safety Precautions
Opal cutting is not dangerous when done correctly, but it does require serious safety precautions, especially regarding silica dust. Grinding opal dry releases fine silica particles that can cause silicosis, an irreversible lung disease.
Always cut and grind opal wet, using water trays or wet grinding wheels, and always wear a proper respirator (P2 or N95 rated) if dust is present. Eye protection is also critical, as opal can chip and splinter.
Respect for the stone also means respect for your body and workspace — keep things clean, well-lit, and ergonomically set up to avoid long-term strain.
Opal Is an Emotional Hobby
Many cutters will tell you: opal is an emotional stone. It will frustrate you, seduce you, humble you, and surprise you. It is known as the stone of emotion for a reason.
This means you’ll have days where everything goes wrong, where every stone seems to crack, and nothing goes your way. On other days, a tiny nodule will reveal a breathtaking flash of red or green that reminds you why you fell in love with opal in the first place.
Prepare yourself emotionally for the journey, knowing that the highs and lows are part of what makes opal cutting addictive and rewarding.
Learning Takes Time (And You Will Always Keep Learning)
No one becomes a master cutter overnight. Even after months or years of practice, opal can still surprise and challenge you. Part of the joy of the hobby is that you’ll always be learning, improving, and honing your skills.
Start simple. Cut small pieces. Focus on understanding the stone — how it feels under the wheel, how it reacts to different grits, how to read the colour bars.
Don’t compare yourself to others on social media — everyone starts somewhere, and most only show their successes, not the broken stones and frustrations behind the scenes.
Start by Watching, Reading, and Learning — But Don’t Get Stuck There
There are countless tutorials, books, and videos about opal cutting. Start by absorbing as much information as you can. Join forums, follow reputable cutters, and ask questions.
But don’t let the fear of doing it wrong stop you from starting. Theory only takes you so far — at some point, you have to pick up the tools and start cutting. The mistakes you make will teach you far more than endless videos.
Conclusion – Prepare Yourself for the Journey Ahead
Opal cutting is a hobby that rewards curiosity, patience, and persistence. Before you dive in, understand that there will be frustrations, costs, and broken stones along the way. But if you accept these as part of the journey, the rewards are immeasurable.
You’ll discover beauty hidden within the most unassuming rocks, develop skills you never thought possible, and join a passionate community of cutters and collectors.
In Part 4, we’ll guide you through the essential tools you need to get started, from budget setups to professional kits. But before we get there, take a moment to check in with your expectations, prepare yourself mentally, and embrace the adventure that opal cutting offers.
