In 1994, Ethiopian Opal with a Short Porosity was introduced to the market as a precious gem. The opal in this piece is a result of a discovery that was made in Menz Gishe District at the northernmost part of Shewa State. This area produces opals in a variety of colors.
Ethiopian Opal Treatments. Although many Ethiopian opals come from their native country, they are also sold elsewhere. They are a good candidate for treatments such as dyes, smoke, sugar/acid, or even acid/sugar. These treatments can reduce the cost of opals to a fraction of what they would be if they were natural. Unknown buyers can be mistaken for experienced buyers.
The History of Ethiopian Opal A third deposit of opal was found by accident in 2013, also in Wollo, but 100 kilometers to the north.
The New Opal Heavyweight:Australia has been the possessive force in the opal market for over 100 years. Over the past 100 years, Australia has mined up to 95% of all opals produced worldwide. Ethiopia has become the second biggest player on the opal markets. Many people now look for “Welo Opals” or Ethiopian Opals in stores. The opals are beautiful and they sell at a lower price than Australian opals with similar appearance.
Opals have a cost-play-of-color: The microscopic silica areas in the opals that produce this play-ofcolor are organized into an orderly grid. This network of small spheres is a grating. The light is diffracted as it passes through the spheres. The size and geometric arrangement of spheres affects the quality of light diffracted. Opals show off their colors. Opals are made up of 6-10% water. The way that colors change as the stone is rotated. These opals are more appealing and likely to be purchased if they have play of color. Opals that have a play of colors are the most sought-after gems.
DIY Treatment. The Ethiopian opals that are made of hydrophane, which is porous, can be dyed easily because they absorb liquids. Adding dye to an opal can make it appear more natural. If the dye treatment is not obvious, it can be detected by a microscopic inspection or cutting the opal and looking for concentrated color near the surface. In order to make large purchases, some large buyers will ask vendors for samples of opal. It is difficult to tell the difference between an opal that has been customized and one that is real. Anyone who knows opals is able to tell if an opal has been dyed. Experience is needed to create these opals that look unique.
Ethiopian Opals are highly valued. The bright colors are what makes them so valuable. Most of the time, they’re mistaken. The value of opals depends on the type you want. Their weight and height are often also factors that determine their value. They are harder to locate in other places because of their unique patterns. They are hard to come by in certain areas. Jewelry can contain opals, but they may not be as valuable as those mined.
Ethiopian opals have been considered lucky by Ethiopians for centuries. Over the centuries, opal has been considered a beautiful and popular gemstone.