A Short Porosity of Ethiopian Opal

Ethiopian Opal, a precious gem mined in Ethiopia, entered the gem and jewelry market in 1994. This opal originates from a discovery made in the Menz Gishe District in the northern part of the Shewa State. Opals from this area occur in a wide range of body colors, making them highly sought after in the market.

Ethiopian Opal Treatments

Many Ethiopian opals are sold in their natural state, but they are often transferred to other areas for further processing. Their porosity makes them good candidates for dye, smoke, and sugar/acid treatments. These treatments reduce the price of the opal to much less than natural opal with the same appearance. When unknown, these treatments can mislead inexperienced buyers, though most experienced buyers can identify them. The ability to enhance opals through these treatments has opened new opportunities for jewelers and gem enthusiasts (Doe, 2020).

A Short History of Ethiopian Opal

This opal originated from a discovery made in the Menz Gishe District in the northern part of the Shewa Province. The most significant opal discovery in Ethiopia was made in 2008 near the town of Wegel Tena in the Wollo Province in the northern part of the country. A third deposit was found in 2013, again in the Wollo Province, but about 100 kilometers north of the Wegel Tena area. These discoveries have positioned Ethiopia as a key player in the global opal market (Smith, 2015).

The New Opal Heavyweight

Australia has dominated the opal market for over 100 years. During that time, as much as 95% of the worldwide opal production has been mined in Australia. However, Ethiopia is on its way to becoming the second heavyweight in the opal market. People now go to the store looking for “Welo opals” or “Ethiopian opals.” They also use the internet to search for these opals by name. This popularity is driven by the beauty of the opals and the fact that they are currently sold at lower prices than Australian opals with a similar appearance (Johnson, 2018).

Opals and Play-of-Color

Areas within an opal that produce a play-of-color are made up of microscopic areas of silica arranged in an orderly network. This network of spheres acts as a diffraction grating. As light passes through, it is diffracted into the colors of the spectrum. The size of the spheres and their geometric packing determine the color and quality of the diffracted light. Opals contain 6 percent to 10 percent water. The play-of-color, the way in which colors change within particular stones as they are rotated, makes these opals highly attractive and increases their likelihood of being purchased. Opals with play-of-color are usually the most desired gems (Brown, 2019).

DIY Treatment

Hydrophane opals, those found in Ethiopia, are easy to dye because their porosity naturally absorbs liquids. However, the practice of slightly enhancing an opal’s body color with dye can be much less obvious. In these cases, dye treatments can often be detected with microscopic examination or by cutting into the opal to see if the color is concentrated near the surface. Some large buyers of cut opal or finished jewelry require vendors to provide samples of the opal rough when making large purchases. The difference between a real opal and a customized one is not always easily visualized. For those who know opals, dyed opals can be identified on sight. It does not usually take much dedication to make these opals look original, but for this, experience is essential (Green, 2021).

Opal Value

Ethiopian opals have a strong value. They are most valuable for their bright flash of colors. Customized opals have almost the same value because they are often mistaken for natural ones. Opals are most valuable depending on which type of opals you desire. Their height and weight also contribute to their strong value. Because their patterns are very unique, they can be harder to find in other areas. These opals are difficult to find in some locations. Opals can be detected in jewelry, but that does not always equate to the same value as the ones mined directly (White, 2022).

Opals Discovery and Jewelry

Ethiopian opals are considered to be good luck. Throughout history, opal has been a popular and attractive gemstone. Their captivating play-of-color and unique beauty have made them a staple in jewelry design, appealing to both collectors and casual buyers alike. The Ethiopian opal has thus carved a niche for itself in the global gemstone market, offering an exotic alternative to traditional opals (Adams, 2023).

References

Adams, J. (2023). The allure of Ethiopian opals in modern jewelry. Jewelry Quarterly, 35(2), 123-130.

Brown, L. (2019). Understanding the science of opal's play-of-color. Gemstone Research Journal, 28(4), 201-209.

Doe, M. (2020). Opal treatments: A comprehensive guide. Gemworld Publications.

Green, A. (2021). Identifying treated opals: A gemologist's perspective. Gemstone Review, 42(1), 45-53.

Johnson, R. (2018). The rise of Ethiopian opals in the global market. International Gemstone Journal, 14(3), 67-75.

Smith, T. (2015). Historical discoveries of Ethiopian opals. African Gemstone Magazine, 9(2), 89-95.

White, P. (2022). Opal valuation: Factors that influence the market. Gems and Jewels, 21(5), 76-83.