Meet your Teacher

Get to know your teacher, Justin Thomas, who will guide you through every step of the course with practical insights, hands-on techniques, and a passion for turning rough opals into stunning gems.

I've always wanted to share my knowledge of opal with the world. Having kept some of my most guarded secrets off YouTube, this course has allowed me to tell all.

NICE TO MEET YOU

I'm Justin Thomas

Having worked alongside opal for majority of my life, you could say I am slightly obsessed. I’m Justin Thomas, the face behind - and in front of - Black Opal Direct. With years of experience in sourcing, cutting, and polishing, I’m dedicated to helping others discover the beauty and potential of these remarkable gems

HOW IT BEGAN

My passion for opals began in my childhood, more specifically, when watching my father's eyes light up as he cut a beautiful black opal or revealed a gem. As I grew older, my appreciation for his craft deepened, and I found myself sharing in his excitement every time a stunning gem was born.

I cut my first opal at the age of 11 in a bustling workshop in the heart of Sydney's CBD - a tiny 3x4 metre room where my father eked out a living cutting opals. By 18, I joined the business full-time, learning the art of opal cutting alongside my dad. Over the next five years, we spent our days recutting up to 100 gems daily, mastering our craft together.

The most thrilling part of our work was travelling to Lightning Ridge, purchasing rough opal parcels directly from miners, and driving back to Sydney to cut and sell. This shift in focus - buying and selling our own opals - proved both more enjoyable and lucrative, allowing us to build strong relationships with miners and gain extensive knowledge of the various opal fields.

Left to Right: Saxon Thomas (Justin's son), Justin Thomas & Jürgen Thomas (Justin's Father)

HOW IT'S GOING

This deep understanding of opal fields and cutting techniques has been invaluable throughout my career. In 2008, I launched an online business and a YouTube channel, known as Black Opal Direct, which has since grown to a community of 260,000 supportive followers. Today, our business thrives online, and we travel the world to trade shows, sharing our love for these incredible gems.

I've always wanted to share my knowledge but have kept some of my most guarded secrets off YouTube. Now, I've created this course to finally pass on all that I've learned, giving you the tools to fast-track your own opal journey whilst ensuring that this industry continues to flourish with well-informed enthusiasts.