Part 7: Where to Buy Your First Opal Rough – Trusted Sellers and Tips for Beginners

If you’re just getting started with opal cutting, finding good-quality rough from a trustworthy seller is one of the hardest parts. With so many sellers on TikTok, Facebook, and various marketplaces, it’s tough to know who to trust — especially when you’re spending your hard-earned money. 

There are plenty of sellers offering overpriced, low-grade rough — including mislabelled parcels, heavily rubbed or discarded stones, cracked or fractured material, and especially Lightning Ridge rough full of sand. These often show colour but will never cut a stone. Sellers should be upfront about the material type — whether it’s inlay or chips only, low-grade practice rough, mid-grade cutters, or top-grade parcels. Honestly, 99% of Ridge material sold online won’t cut — it’s full of sand, divots, and fractures. That’s not a gamble. A true gamble gives you a decent shot at cutting a solid or at least a doublet. Most of what’s sold is false hope with a high price tag.

Real example of very poor material that sold for over $400 AUD — commonly referred to as "Fish Gravel".

That’s why, when I’m asked where to begin, I always recommend starting with someone who genuinely knows opal and has built their reputation on quality and transparency.

If you’re looking for beginner-friendly rough — or even some gem-grade beauties — I personally recommend Opal Empire, run by Jullian Stavreas. You’ll find Opal Empire on both TikTok and Facebook. Jullian’s been in the opal game for many years, and his knowledge is second to none. He’s fair, honest, and passionate about helping others — and he’s helped hundreds of people (myself included) find quality opal rough for cutting and collecting.

I also have kilos of rough opal — mainly from Coober Pedy — and I may list some of it on opalsgemstones.com in the coming months. So stay tuned, or better yet, subscribe and we’ll let you know if and when it’s available.

A Word of Caution: The TikTok and Facebook Scammers

Not every seller is honest. Some knowingly sell absolute rubbish — colourless stones (not opal), heavily fractured or sand-filled stones, or misleadingly edited parcels. Many fail to show the true size, overuse lighting and filters, or flat-out lie about the quality or value, hyping up stones that aren’t worth a second look.

I won’t name the criminals — I rate them no better than phone scammers — but rest assured, I’ll help you buy from trust worthy sellers.

The Two Biggest Tips I Can Give You

1. Don’t Stockpile — Cut It!
When you buy some rough opal or a parcel of opal, don’t keep hoarding. Get in there and cut it. That’s how you learn. Some rough needs an experienced hand, but once you start cutting, you’ll learn to judge shape, thickness, colour bars, patterns, waste (yield), and how the stone might cut. This insight will completely change how you buy very quickly — and will save you your hard earned money.

2. Don’t Get Sucked Into the Hype
Seeing bright flashes of colour doesn’t guarantee a cuttable stone. Many don’t cut — and some do — but experience teaches you to spot the difference. Watch and learn from the experienced buyers and note what they’re bidding on. These are buyers who cut opal. Don’t just follow the crowd. And be warned — some sellers use fake accounts to bid up their own auctions. Yes, it happens more than you think.

Trusted Sellers – What to Look For

When buying rough opal — especially online — it’s essential to find sellers who are honest, knowledgeable, and transparent. Here’s what you should expect from any trusted seller:

• Clearly states the origin of the rough opal (e.g., Coober Pedy, Lightning Ridge, Mintabie, Lambina).
• Shows the size of the stone — ideally compared to a local coin for scale.
• Provides the weight in carats.
• Provides dimensions on request — using digital verniers (width, height, and depth).
• Clearly states the grade and purpose of the stone:
  • Chips only
  • Inlay material
  • Doublet material
  • Carving material
  • Low grade practice rough
  • Medium grade opal
  • High grade or gem-quality opal
• Shows the opal from every angle — including the top, sides, bottom, and back. Calls out any indentations that may effect cutting a solid.
• Calls out any inclusions — such as sand, cracks, divots, potch, potch lines, or fractures.
• Clearly shows colour bars and the angle of those bars — and ideally offers some guidance on how the stone might be cut.
• Never makes guarantees about what value the stone will cut — a stone can only be valued on completion, and many factors go into determining its worth, including colour, pattern, brightness, clarity, shape, finish, and inclusions.
• Is honest about flaws and expectations — not just showing colour flashes in perfect lighting.
• Answers questions in the live stream or comments — and doesn’t ignore you if you ask for more info.

If something seems too good to be true — it probably is. And if the seller won’t provide these basic details, it’s often a red flag.

A $5 or $10 stone won’t magically cut into a $500 gem. You’re far better off saving that money and putting it toward a quality piece from a trusted seller who stands behind their material.

Trusted Sellers Offer Refunds — and That Matters

Good sellers — on TikTok, Facebook, or anywhere else — will offer refunds if you’re not happy with your purchase. You’ll find plenty of honest sellers out there who trust their material, and that trust shows in their return policy.

A reputable seller will gladly accept returns and refund you immediately upon receipt if the stone hasn’t been cut or tampered with. Just put it back in the original packaging and message them. If they’re legit, it won’t be a problem.

Just like on OpalsGemstones.com, we offer a no-hassle refund as long as you do not touch or tamper with the stone. Simply package it back up in the original packaging and contact us within 7 days of receipt. We’ll authorise the return — you’ll just need to cover the postage both ways and any insurance. A small price for peace of mind.