Contraluzopal ~ Bruce StJohn Maher contra luz opal cutter biography
ContraluzopalBruce StJohn Maher Biography |
| As an unhappy pre-teen, I wandered into a lapidary class in the old crafts village of Balboa Park that was organized by the San Diego Gem & Mineral Society. It occurred to me that these folks could cut and polish anything the world was made of. I was intrigued, but when someone* handed me a little carnelian colored nodule and encouraged me to free form it on the wheels I was hooked. As I sliced away, swipe by swipe, molecule by molecule, different spectral colors came into view and disappeared with each movement. From that day forward my allowance and Saturday afternoons were spoken for. Four plus decades later the obsession continues.... * Dr. John Sinkankas (1915 - 2002) |
Why Contra Luz? |
| Quite simply, because in my opinion they are the most beautiful type of the most beautiful gem. No two are precisely alike, there are exceptionally rare and generally underappreciated in the current market. They are not for showing off in crowds. Best seen by an individual they exhibit the most perfect colors of any opal as they are turned to the light. Selfish opals, or to be more precise, intimate opals. From sunrise until 9:00 and again from 3:00 'til sunset are optimum outside viewing times, but any direct light source will trigger the cascade of color. Some explode with any ambient suggestion of light -- these 'candlelight' stones are as rare as they are devastating. Whether Nehi orange, white, or water clear, the dance of illusory colors take me out of myself. They are an emblem of the mystery of life. |
Copyright © 2006 Contraluzopal.com Bruce StJohn Maher, g.c.f.r.
Contraluzopal ~ Bruce Maher contra luz opal cutter, contra luz precious fire opal, cabochon color flash color play
| Bruce StJohn Maher, contra luz opal cutter and glass bead artist will present opals with fire, color play, color flash, and play-of-color. A result of Bruce's lapidary work and opal cutting. Contra luz opals presented. |