What gemstones are found in Ethiopia?
The country is known to have significant deposits of at least nine gemstones: opal; corndium, beryl, garnet, peridot, quartz species and tourmaline. Most recently emerald, the most prized beryl of all, has been discovered in quantity approximately 300 miles south of the capital, Addis Ababa, in the Seba Boru district.
Are Ethiopian emeralds good quality?
The gem-quality crystals can be found in exceptional size, color and clarity and can produce stones that require no clarity enhancements like oiling, Kaufman, Nemeth and gem dealer Phil Zahm all said. It’s schist-hosted material, which means the Ethiopian rough is comparable to emerald rough from Zambia and Brazil.
Are Ethiopian opals valuable?
Ethiopian Opal is a new variety of opal discovered in Wollo province of Ethiopia. It is highly valued for its vibrant body hues, bold color flashes and patterns. These opals are superior in terms of quality but are relatively cheaper than the other popular origin varieties such as Australian Opals.
Can Ethiopian opals get wet?
If your Ethiopian Opal gets wet, don’t worry. The color and transparency will change temporarily however it will revert to its original color as it dries over a few days.
Does Ethiopia have diamonds?
Ethiopia also boasts gemstones such as diamonds and sapphires; industrial minerals including potash; and other precious and base metals.
How old are Ethiopian opals?
A Brief History of Opals Though first discovered in the early 1990s, Ethiopian opals hadn’t started to take off in the fine opal jewelry market until around 2008 due to a major opal discovery in the Wollo Province of Ethiopia.
How can I tell if my Ethiopian opal is real?
Look at the pattern and play of color, it will be tightly bunched together, and under a loop light, there will be no gaps in the pattern. In other words, the flakes of pattern will be so tightly compacted that it appears uniform. Natural opals will have different size flakes within the gemstone.
Why is Ethiopian opal so cheap?
It might seem a tad bit odd, but Ethiopian opals are cheap because they don’t control the market. Sure, they are a bit rarer than Australian, but they have to compete with opal royalty. The only way Ethiopian opal sellers can turn a profit is if they offer their gems at a lower price point.
Is Ethiopia resource rich?
The country has a few known reserves of precious metals and other natural resources such as gold, potash, natural gas, copper, and platinum. Explorations in the past have shown that Ethiopia has some of the largest deposits of natural gas compared to most countries in Africa.