gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,773
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Post by gemfeller on Mar 11, 2017 17:19:54 GMT -5
I invested in quite a bit of Welo precious opal rough some time back and am now just getting around to cutting a few. This is the first of the batch. The original rough weighed 9.24 ct. but was an odd shape:
After trimming and shaping a bit I ended up with 2 potential pear-shaped stones:
The smaller preform doesn't have much play of color so I haven't bothered finishing it yet. The larger piece yielded this 2.35 ct. multicolored stone (mainly green/orange/red) that measures 9.5 x 12.3 x 4.5 mm.:
Welo opal seems a little strange to me after cutting hundreds of Australian opals. First is what I call "reverse hydrophane effect." Hydrophane stones I've cut from Mexico and Virgin Valley NV didn't show play of color until immersed in water. Welo is just the opposite, losing its color when hydrated, then returning to full POC when dry.
Also I've noticed that some of my Welo stones really show off in fluorescent light, while fluorescents really seem to kill POC in precious opals from Oz and Brazil. One thing about opal: there's always something new to learn.
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micellular
has rocks in the head
Rock fever is curable with more rocks.
Member since September 2015
Posts: 640
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Post by micellular on Mar 11, 2017 19:02:53 GMT -5
WOW. Gorgeous stone, and sweet cutting.
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Post by opalpyrexia on Mar 11, 2017 19:12:47 GMT -5
Beautiful! I've cut only one small one from Ethiopia, but it was nice, too. BTW, what is your light source in the photo?
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,773
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Post by gemfeller on Mar 11, 2017 21:56:40 GMT -5
opalpyrexia , thanks. Re: lighting, I think it was a Pelican Super MityLite which uses a Xenon bulb. I shot the image using it as the only light source in a dark room. It's the only opal shot I can recall making with that as a light source. I generally use low incandescent lighting. I'll have to play around with fluorescent too when shooting Welo. I happened to notice that this stone really went wild when viewed with one of those coiled fluorescents with a daylight color temperature.
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Post by rockjunquie on Mar 11, 2017 22:04:05 GMT -5
Beautiful cab! I love welo opal, but I much prefer the Oz opals.
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Post by opalpyrexia on Mar 11, 2017 22:59:24 GMT -5
I'll have to play around with fluorescent too when shooting Welo. I happened to notice that this stone really went wild when viewed with one of those coiled fluorescents with a daylight color temperature. I've noticed too that the so-called "daylight fluorescents" tend to show opals really well. We have them in the ceiling over the PC and the opals look really fine in that light. I need to try them, too. Thanks.
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metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on Mar 12, 2017 3:54:37 GMT -5
Beautiful cab!
I've just been cutting some boulder opal and currently working on a jelly but picked up some cracking Welo the other week at a local gem show.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,154
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Post by jamesp on Mar 12, 2017 4:51:49 GMT -5
Beautiful stone
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Mar 12, 2017 11:46:08 GMT -5
Purty! I love welos.
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Post by Pat on Mar 12, 2017 12:25:22 GMT -5
Beautiful! Opals always give a surprise at every angle. Thanks.
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Mar 12, 2017 19:58:41 GMT -5
That's a gorgeous opal!
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,681
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Post by Fossilman on Mar 12, 2017 20:47:05 GMT -5
Beautiful beautiful Opal!!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing the photos..............
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Post by pghram on Mar 13, 2017 16:55:20 GMT -5
That's a beauty.
Peace, Rich
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jeannie
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2017
Posts: 266
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Post by jeannie on Mar 13, 2017 17:57:46 GMT -5
I love this stone. Beautiful!
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Post by vegasjames on Mar 13, 2017 18:37:32 GMT -5
Great looking opal.
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