PRECIOUS OPAL - Ethiopia
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From Ethiopia
Precious opal is the only gemstone that can have such a diverse brilliance of colour that it encompasses the whole of the colour spectrum. In the past most opal has come from either Australia or Mexico, but since the mid. 1990s stunningly beautiful opals have entered the market from Ethiopia. They are mostly found north-east of Addis Ababa in Shewa Province and occur in stratified volcanic rocks such as rhyolite and ignimbrite. The best opals are a more recent discovery and are known as ‘Welo opals’ from Welo (Wollo) Province.
The play of colours is due to the reflection and scattering of light from minute, uniformly-sized spheres of silica that make up the stone. The colours are not caused by a pigment; the closely-packed spheres form a ‘diffraction grating’ that splits white light into the colours of the spectrum.
The pieces of opal we have in stock are natural fragments that show the beautiful range of colours. They are presented in a display box with a glass lid as shown. Most boxes have a single opal; two are included if they are of lesser quality. A descriptive label is included.
Please noteFrom Ethiopia
Precious opal is the only gemstone that can have such a diverse brilliance of colour that it encompasses the whole of the colour spectrum. In the past most opal has come from either Australia or Mexico, but since the mid. 1990s stunningly beautiful opals have entered the market from Ethiopia. They are mostly found north-east of Addis Ababa in Shewa Province and occur in stratified volcanic rocks such as rhyolite and ignimbrite. The best opals are a more recent discovery and are known as ‘Welo opals’ from Welo (Wollo) Province.
The play of colours is due to the reflection and scattering of light from minute, uniformly-sized spheres of silica that make up the stone. The colours are not caused by a pigment; the closely-packed spheres form a ‘diffraction grating’ that splits white light into the colours of the spectrum.
The pieces of opal we have in stock are natural fragments that show the beautiful range of colours. They are presented in a display box with a glass lid as shown. Most boxes have a single opal; two are included if they are of lesser quality. A descriptive label is included.
Because each opal is unique, with a widely different play of colours, we advise that you select your own piece by visiting us at one of the events we attend throughout the year (see 'Shows and Fairs' tab above). The photographs are typical examples of what we have.
Click on a picture for a larger image
Size: 2.5 x 2.5 x 1.5 centimetres (size of display box)
Weight: 8 grams (average including box)
