Are Ethiopian opals fake?
By now, you’ve learned that Ethiopian opals are a real and natural gemstone from Africa. Opals from Ethiopia are incredibly gorgeous, exhibiting stunning play of color and that signature waxy texture.
Which is better Australian or Ethiopian Opal?
Ethiopian opal is more available and generally has a wider variety of color especially reds. Ethiopian Prices are lower and the sizes are much larger than Australian. Ethiopian opal is more durable resisting breakage better than all other opal including Australian.
Why did my Ethiopian Opal turn orange?
Hydrophane opals have the ability to absorb water or liquids, similar to a sponge, resulting in a change of color that may turn the opal translucent yellow or brown and the play-of-color to disappear temporarily. Don’t panic though!
How are Ethiopian opals graded?
Black opal is grading in terms of blackness, the brightness of the colour and the pattern. Similarly, Ethiopian opal is also graded on pattern and brightness, but the body tone of the stone does not play a huge role in determining the final value. This pattern is very rare in any other type of opals.
Why are Ethiopian opals 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.
Are Ethiopian opals good quality?
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.
Do all Ethiopian opals turn yellow?
Sometimes Ethiopian opals can turn yellow or brown and lose their fire. This would probably happen because the stone has been allowed to absorb water, which temporarily affects its color and fire. Once the stone is dewatered, it should return to its normal state.
What is the best Ethiopian Opal?
Generally, natural Ethiopian Opal with transparent color and evenly distributed rainbow color flashes is counted as the best quality Ethiopian Opal.
Are Ethiopian opals worth anything?
Contrary to Australian opal, Ethiopian’s opal price is generally lower, making it a more affordable gemstone, because of the steady supply, however, high quality Ethiopian opal is still difficult to obtain and can be expensive. Ethiopian opal’s value varies based on its variety, color intensity and patterns.
Is Ethiopian opal a good investment?
Ethiopian opal tends to be available at a lower price than from other sources, such as Australia or Brazil. This makes it more affordable to buy, especially in bulk, and a good reason for investing.