Rockwerks Lapidary Forum

I found an opal slab on eBay but as new as I am at this I don't know. I'd like to get it to make some cabs for my metal rings but I have heard that the fire doesn't run very deep and I'm afraid that I would cut right through it. Is this something to be concerned about?
Here is the link, have a look and let me know.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... otohosting

(if any of you plan on bidding on it let me know and I won't bid).

I can't answer your question specifically since the link doesn't work, but you are right: it's easy to ruin an opal if you cut too aggressively. If you're new to cabbing, you may want to leave opals for later after you get more experience. I've been cabbong for almost four years and still haven't worked any opal... too expensive for my taste.

Ive worked quite a bit of opal...of all different types. You can ruin a good expensive opal in a split second. The best advice I could give is to buy some cheap stuff and grind the heck out of it, jut to get a feel for the material. Then when you move on to the more expensive stuff, you will have an idea of what you should and should not do.

Thanks gang, This is why I'm here.
I think I will just buy the cab that almost fits my needs.