Gilson Opals

LarryC · #1 2011-10-20, 7:41am

Anyone else encasing Gilson Opals these days? If so, where are you buying them from? I got some from an online retailer and am not very happy with the form and finish. Quite irregular and there are still some small cracks in the stone. I would be willing to pay more if they were better quality.

nate-d · #2 2011-10-20, 7:54am

I'm pretty sure Mountain Glass Arts sells them. Cosmo was using them in some of his work. I haven't tried using them though.

LarryC · #3 2011-10-20, 10:32am

Quote:

Originally Posted by nate-d

I'm pretty sure Mountain Glass Arts sells them. Cosmo was using them in some of his work. I haven't tried using them though.

Mountain glass only has the unfinished ones. I was hoping to find a source for finished opal. Ideas?

nate-d · #4 2011-10-20, 10:41am

There is a site called Profound Glass that sells them too, unless that is the place you already ordered from.

LarryC · #5 2011-10-20, 11:04am

Thanks. Ill check them out. I have a few really nice finished ones from a friend but I am looking for a long term source.

Cornbread · #6 2011-10-20, 1:51pm

i still can't encase them cleanly so I've stayed away from them a bit...but opals are def a way to put a very nice touch on a piece or make it the focus on the piece.

LarryC · #7 2011-10-20, 2:08pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cornbread

i still can't encase them cleanly so I've stayed away from them a bit...but opals are def a way to put a very nice touch on a piece or make it the focus on the piece.

If there are any cracks or fissures in the opal then you are likely to get small air bubbles that form around the edges. This is what happens when I encase the ones I got from the retailer which were tumbled. I wonder if the tumbling process causes the cracking? The ones from a friend that have been polished into cabochons encased beautifully for me. This is why I am looking for more of the fully finished ones. I love the look of them as an accent to imploded patterns in my marbles. I may have to buy them rough and have someone finish them for me but that could get quite expensive. Wonder what a diamond faceting machine costs?

PaPiGlass · #8 2011-10-20, 7:58pm

I use opals from Profound Glass.
I think their opal have a good quality, though my skill is not perfect.

Cornbread · #9 2011-10-20, 9:12pm

those pendants are sick!!!! Love the opals too..going to have to find some like that!

LisaF-R · #10 2011-10-20, 9:20pm

I believe that ABR also sells them.

MK · #11 2011-10-21, 5:42am

http://www.glasscraftinc.com/home/gl...als.html?stpl=

Glass Craft inc

Cornbread · #12 2011-10-21, 12:18pm

Sweet MK. thanks. Hey we need to get together soon. I have my studio up and running. We need to visit each other and trade some tricks!

LarryC · #13 2011-10-21, 12:28pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by LisaF-R

I believe that ABR also sells them.

ABR only has the rough ones. Glasscraft looks promising though.

LarryC · #14 2011-10-21, 12:48pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by MK

http://www.glasscraftinc.com/home/gl...als.html?stpl=

Glass Craft inc

Score. Thanks for the info, MK.

Juln · #15 2011-10-22, 2:30am

Profound Glass is the distributor for Gilson opals in North America... might as well but from good ol' Grandpa, it's the most direct.

MK · #16 2011-10-22, 6:18am

JB, we thought we would come say hi at the Nov 5th show downtown!

Also if any of you guys order from Glass Craft, add 4oz of that Purple made by Glasstronics in India to your order. It looks pink in the stick but it will suprise you!

sunray · #17 2011-10-23, 6:48pm

We also stock a limited supply of those same opals at Trev's.. Have a on special the pear ones are $2 each
The chips are $22 a gram and the Flakes are $30 a gram
All these are The original Gilson Opals