Juniper Fire Opal – From 47.2 Carats to a Brilliant Finished Gem

This Juniper Fire Opal has been one of the most memorable stones I’ve worked on — a journey that started with a massive rough and ended with a bright, water-polished gem full of life.

From 47.2 Carats to 6.95 Carats – Juniper Fire Opal

It all began with a large piece of fiery orange opal, warm, vivid, and full of promise. From the first moment I held it, I knew it deserved careful faceting and a finish that would bring out its inner glow.

Cutting the Pavilion

The pavilion is always the foundation of the stone, and this part of the process requires the most precision. I began by rough-cutting the back of the gem to establish the main angles, slowly shaping the lower half into something symmetrical and balanced. As the pavilion facets took form, the opal began reflecting light in subtle ways, hinting at the shine it would later develop.

After the cutting was complete, I polished the entire pavilion on the Darkside lap with cerium oxide. This step transformed the dull, frosted surface into a smooth, liquid-like finish — that flowing, water-like shine that Fire Opal shows when polished correctly.

Cutting the Girdle

With the pavilion finished, I moved on to establishing the girdle. This thin band around the stone defines its outline and ensures the crown will sit perfectly aligned once transferred. I carefully shaped the girdle to keep proportions balanced, checking the thickness frequently so it would remain even all around.

A well-cut girdle may not be the star of the show, but it’s essential — it gives the gem structural integrity and makes the rest of the faceting process predictable and smooth.

Cutting the Crown

With the pavilion complete, I transferred the stone and began working on the crown. This part of the cut is always my favorite, because it’s where the gem starts to “open up” and return light in a more dramatic way.

I set the main crown facets, shaping the top of the stone so the angles would interact well with the pavilion below. As the crown facets grew sharper and more defined, the opal began to glow more intensely, catching light even under the faceting lamp.

Finally, I cut and polished the table — the last step that gives the gem its window into the inside. The moment that table goes polished and perfect, the entire stone comes alive.

By the time the crown was finished, the gem looked bright, clean, and full of fire. All that remained was to remove it from the dop.

The Moment Things Went Wrong

The stone was already complete — pavilion, girdle, crown, table, everything.
I placed it in a jar of acetone to dissolve the adhesive.

And then impatience intervened.

Instead of waiting for the glue to break down gently on its own, I tried to force it… and snapped the tip of the stone.

It’s the kind of moment every faceter knows too well: the hard work is done, the gem is ready, and a small rush at the end turns into an unexpected setback. I went back to the machine and re-shaped the damaged area with care and calm.

A Bright Finish and a Water-Like Polish

Even with the repair, the final gem turned out beautifully.
The cut is clean, the proportions are balanced, and the polish is superb — that flowing, watery shine across the facets that Fire Opal displays when everything comes together.

After the final inspection and polish, the stone weighed 6.95 carats. From 47.2 carats down to this — a long journey, but one full of fire and clarity.

Crystal Photography – Capturing the Final Gem

Once the faceting was complete, I switched to macro photography to capture the gem’s character. Using controlled lighting and cool-toned backgrounds, the warm orange of the opal stood out beautifully. Every reflection, every glow, and every small detail of the polish revealed itself through the lens.

Conclusion

This Juniper Fire Opal carries a story of effort, a mistake, patience, and a rewarding finish.
Even though the process had its tough moment, the result is a bright, beautifully polished gemstone — and a reminder that craftsmanship grows through both skill and perseverance.