Elements and Performance Criteria
- Identify type of opal rough
- Undertake preliminary investigations before deciding how to proceed with cutting or carving the opal
- Review current market requirements and consult with client to determine his/her preference for how opal could be cut
- Based on knowledge of the geological formation of opal, field from which the opal came and past experience, determine the location of the colour within the rough opal
- Discuss possible strategies for cutting with colleagues and client as required
- Determine jewellers’ requirements for products being considered
- Review the options for cutting and plan cut to achieve the best result
- Block off the stone (boulder opal)
- When working with boulder opal, use a series of cuts to block off stone to gain more information about position and quality of the opal present in the stone and determine best gem outcomes from that piece of boulder
- Identify position of opal and minimise waste when making cuts
- If appropriate, split block opal along fault lines
- Expose the colour
- Decide on whether to cut and/or carve the opal