Ethiopian opal, sometimes called "Welo opal" or "Wollo opal," has been existing for generations but was just recently found in 2008 at the Stayish mine.
At Yita Ridge, the Welo Opal was found in 1994. Although the two discoveries are significantly distinct, Mezzezo in the Shewa province is occasionally confused with an earlier discovery of Ethiopian Opal in 1994 at Yita Ridge and Mezzezo in the Shewa province. Welo Opals are a reliable stone that is ideal for use in fine craftsmanship.
Contrary to Yita Ridge Ethiopian Opals, which are regarded as fragile, Ethiopian Opal jewellery does not break or craze. Ethiopian Welo Opals have undergone thorough testing by the GIA, including exposure to water and intense heat, and they have been shown to be a stable gem that is unlikely to break under adverse circumstances.
These Ethiopian Opal beads are hydrophane Opals, which means that when the water content changes, they absorb water and change colour from opaque to transparent. Up to 20% of water can be found in Ethiopian opals. If you're looking for a one-of-a-kind piece of jewellery, one fashioned with Opal from an active volcano is hard to top! Hydrophane Opals are created by volcanic action.
Because Ethiopian Opal is a relatively "new" gem, there is no industry-wide accepted grading standard for it. Contrary to other opals, the body tone or shade of an ethiopian opal typically has little bearing on its grade or worth.
Colors of Ethiopian Opals:
Ethiopian Welo Opals are clear to white and transparent to yellow, brown, or orange in their native state. The term "precious Opal" refers to these high-quality opals that exhibit brilliant colour flashes in every colour of the rainbow and from all angles, whereas the term "common Opal" refers to those that exhibit fewer or no colour flashes.
Furthermore, jewellery made from Ethiopian opals is the best choice if you want a piece of jewellery that complements everything since these gemstones have amazing colour and may exhibit a single hue, a variety of colours, or every colour of the rainbow.
Aspects of Ethiopian Opal's Color
Ethiopian Opals can also be found with a brown colour that is naturally opaque and flashes bright rainbow colours. Opals that are tan in colour, sometimes referred to as chocolate opals, are quite rare.
Despite the fact that black Ethiopian opal may be found naturally, many of the black opals used in jewellery are clear opals that have undergone smoke treatment. Genuine black Ethiopian Opals often have a solid, dark colour that is constant throughout the Opal when tested, such as by purposely shattering the Opal open.
Recent years have seen the appearance of Ethiopian Opals in a variety of colours, including black, blue, turquoise, green, and even pink. Although these magnificent shades of Ethiopian Opal have undergone smoke treatment or colour enhancement, they are just as stunning and durable as untreated Ethiopian Opal. Color-enhanced Ethiopian opals are still genuine opals.
Ethiopian opals exhibit colour flashes that can be viewed either inside the gem or on its surface. They might appear as a single large flash of colour, several smaller ones, or several tiny pinprick-sized flashes of colour (referred to as "pinfire" Opals).
How do you tell whether an Ethiopian opal is real?
Ethiopian opals that are synthetic or fake are commonly mistaken for the real thing. This is so because, in comparison to other stones, this kind of opal is incredibly light. The majority of natural Ethiopian opals exhibit colours so brilliantly that it's difficult to believe they are real. These opals also have a waxy, plastic-like surface.
Ethiopian Opal jewellery is less expensive than other Opal varieties, such Australian Opal, which has led many people to believe that Opal is phoney. There are certain measures you can take to maintain your Opal jewellery in good condition, even though Ethiopian Opal is more stable and appropriate for use in jewellery than other Opal types.
How do I care?
Avoid using any chemicals while cleaning your Opal jewellery; instead, use warm water and a soft cloth or sponge. If at all feasible, use a moist cloth rather than a lot of water.
If your Ethiopian Opal gets wet, don't be concerned. The colour and transparency will briefly change, but as it cures over a few days, they will revert to their original colours.
Avoid extremes in humidity, especially if you live in a dry climate with low humidity. Instead, keep your Ethiopian opal jewellery wet and protected from drying out by placing it in a small zip-top bag with a damp cotton ball. If you'd like a bag and cotton ball with your order, just let us know.
Because Ethiopian opal is more stable than other opal kinds, you shouldn't be concerned if you drop or accidently snag your opal jewellery on something. It can, for instance, survive a tumble from four feet onto concrete without being harmed.
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