A Short Porosity of Ethiopian Opal

A Short porosity of Ethiopian Opal, precious opal mined in Ethiopia entered the gem and jewelry market in 1994. This opal is originated 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 bodycolors.

Ethiopian Opal Treatments: Many Ethiopian opals are sold in their natural nation, but transferred into other areas . Their porosity makes them good candidates for dye, smoke, and sugar/acid treatments. All of these treatments reduce the price of the opal to much less than natural opal with the same appearance. When unknown they can mistake inexperienced buyers with most experienced buyers.

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 important 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.

The New Opal Heavyweight:Australia has been the possessive force in the opal market for over 100 years. During that time as much as 95% of the worldwide opal production has been mined in Australia. 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 and search for these opals by name. This popularity is being driven by the beauty of the opals and the fact that it is currently selling at lower prices than Australian opal with a similar appearance.

Opals cost Play-of-Color:Areas within an opal that produce a play-of-color are made up of microscopic area of silica arranged in an orderly network. This network of spheres acts as a limited grating. As the 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 diffracted light. Opals play of color. Opals contains 6 percent to 10 percent water. Play of color, the way in which change within particular stones as it is being rotated. Play of color makes these opals highly more attractive and have a higher chance of being bought. Opals with play of color are usually the most desired gems.

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 so clearly visualized. For those who know opals can identify dyed opals on sight. It does not usually take much dedication to make these opals look original, but for this it takes experience.

Opal Value:Ethiopian opals have a strong value. They are most valuable for their bright flash of colors. Costomated opals have almost the same value because most times they are often mistaken. Opals are most valuable depending on which type of opals you desire. Most times their height and weight are also what causes strong value. Because their patterns are very unique they will most times 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 have the same value as the ones mined.

Opals Discovery:Jewelry: Ethiopian opals are considered to be good luck. Throughout history opal is a popular and attractive gemstone.