77Ct Rainbow ContraLuz Ethiopian Welo Rough Specimen Rough Opal (2024)

FAQs

How do you value a Welo opal? ›

The price per carat of Ethiopian opal ranges from 10-250 per carat based on the intensity, variety and patterns of color. Top quality gems will have color over the entire surface free of visible inclusions on the top surface of the opal.

Look for a Play of Color

The “play of color” is what makes an opal so unique and desirable. This refers to the way the stone appears to change color when viewed from different angles. If you don't see any color play, the opal is likely a fake.

A rare natural opal and difficult to produce

And finally a few tons in 2011. Only 5% of the stones are of sufficient quality to se sold and 1% have the quality to set in jewelry. We can find Welo opals rough in silica veins.

While the Ethiopian opal boom seems relatively new, archeology shows that opals may have played a part in East African trade as early as 4000 B.C. A 1939 discovery by archeologist Louis Leakey places opals in the hands of humans in Kenya nearly 6000 years before contemporary Ethiopian opal discoveries.

The brighter and more distinct the pattern, the greater its value. You may not be aware, but the direction of colour is also a crucial value gauge. Opal that shows vibrant colour from all directions is considered more valuable and versatile than a one-directional opal – with all other factors being equal.

Black Opal

Black opals are the rarest, most valuable opal variety. They can be gray, black, or even dark blue sometimes, so they're also called “dark opals.” Part of black opal's value lies in the contrast between the dark background and bright play-of-color.

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.

Look for good color play: One of the most important factors to consider when buying an Ethiopian opal is its color play. Look for an opal that displays a range of colors when viewed from different angles. The more vibrant and intense the colors, the more valuable the opal is likely to be.

Gently deposit a single drop of water onto the surface of the opal. Observe how the water drop interacts with the opal for a few seconds, allowing it either to evaporate or be absorbed into the stone. Reexamine the area where the water drop was placed.

If at all possible, avoid using too much water and instead use a wet cloth. Don't worry if your Ethiopian Opal gets wet. The colour and transparency will alter temporarily, but they will return to their original colour as it dries over a few days.

Do fake opals glow under a blacklight? ›

A real opal under a UV light will also appear noticeably different to a fake opal. Synthetic opals, in addition to their visual clues, will emit a green colour under UV light; this is why it is often advised to take a UV torch along to test if the stone 'fluoresces', and if not, it is natural.

Ethiopian opals are some of the rarest gems in the world. Not coincidentally, they are also some of the most in-demand gemstones on the market.

Crazed Ethiopian Welo Opal Crazing is a unique form of damage that can happen to an opal under certain unfavorable conditions. It is fairly unique in gemstones, happening generally to only opals and amber.

Ethiopian Opals are sometimes referred to as "living gems" due to their ability to soak up liquids. Liquids like perfumes, soaps, and cleaning products can stain your Opals, which will also result in a change in color.

Australian opal, especially opal from Lightning Ridge and Coober Pedy, is generally much more expensive and valuable than Ethiopian opal. Top quality Australian opals can sell for over $10,000 per carat. Ethiopian opal is quite affordable in comparison, usually ranging from $50-500 per carat depending on the quality.

Origin: Ethiopia. Hardness: 6.5. Price Per Carat: $200.

Graded on a scale from B1 to B7 on the basis of brightness ranging from vivid, very bright, bright to moderate and subdued, Ethiopian opal possessing more brightness are more in value as well.

The most amazing difference between these two forms of Opal: Australian opal loves water and is impervious to most chemicals and the effects of soap/water exposure. Ethiopian opal, when exposed to water, will lose its color play in its entirety, and when it drys the color play returns!