The facts
What ethiopian Opal actually is
The species behind ethiopian Opal is opal (hydrophane), SiO₂·nH₂O; it forms in the amorphous system.
Play-of-colour by diffraction; body tone from trace iron and from absorbed water is responsible for the colour — and the chromophore, not the name, is what decides whether a colour is stable.
On the instruments it reads a refractive index of 1.37–1.47 and a specific gravity of about 1.85–2.15, with none cleavage.
Where ethiopian Opal comes from
Commercial material comes from Wegel Tena, Wollo Province, Ethiopia and Mezezo, Shewa, Ethiopia.
Different localities give different colour and different clarity, and the trade prices them differently. We state which one.
How ethiopian Opal is treated
Hydrophane: it absorbs water, temporarily goes transparent and can lose play-of-colour until dry, and it absorbs dyes and smoke easily. Smoke-treated, sugar-treated and dyed Ethiopian opal is very common and often sold undisclosed as black or blue opal. Avoid ultrasonic cleaning and prolonged water contact.
We state the treatment on every stone, including when the honest answer is that it cannot be determined. A treatment disclosed is a fact; a treatment discovered later is a refund.
What ethiopian Opal is confused with
Watch for Australian opal, Smoke-treated opal sold as black opal, Synthetic opal and Dyed hydrophane — these are what turn up sold under this name.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.37–1.47 and specific gravity 1.85–2.15 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What ethiopian Opal is used for
The trades that buy ethiopian Opal are jewellery and mineral collecting. They do not want the same thing, and they do not pay in the same unit.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the carat or by the specimen.
Durability and care
Ethiopian Opal is 5–6.5 on the Mohs scale, with none cleavage.
Below about 5.5 a stone will be scratched by ordinary household dust, which is largely quartz. That does not make it unusable — it makes it a pendant, an earring or an object rather than a ring worn every day.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What ethiopian Opal costs
Expect roughly $5–300/ct, depending on quality.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is ethiopian Opal treated, and how?
Hydrophane: it absorbs water, temporarily goes transparent and can lose play-of-colour until dry, and it absorbs dyes and smoke easily. Smoke-treated, sugar-treated and dyed Ethiopian opal is very common and often sold undisclosed as black or blue opal. Avoid ultrasonic cleaning and prolonged water contact.
Where does ethiopian Opal come from?
Wegel Tena, Wollo Province, Ethiopia and Mezezo, Shewa, Ethiopia. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is ethiopian Opal hard enough to wear every day?
Not really. At 5–6.5 on the Mohs scale it is softer than the quartz dust in ordinary household dirt, so it scratches with wear. It suits pendants, earrings and objects better than a daily ring.
How much does ethiopian Opal cost?
Indicatively $5–300/ct. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is ethiopian Opal confused with?
Most often Australian opal, Smoke-treated opal sold as black opal, Synthetic opal and Dyed hydrophane. A refractive index of 1.37–1.47 and a specific gravity near 1.85–2.15 separate it quickly.
Related stones
Looking for ethiopian opal?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about ethiopian opal