Precious opal – Welo, Ethiopia

Precious opals from the Welo region of Ethiopia are considered to be some of the most beautiful and highest quality opals in the world. These opals are characterized by their unique play of color and high transparency, making them highly sought after by collectors and jewelers.

Most Welo opals are hydrophanous, meaning they have the ability to absorb water. When they absorb water, they can become more transparent and bring out their colors. However, this property also means that they can be prone to cracking when exposed to extreme changes in humidity. In addition to precious opals with a distinctive play of colour, common opals are also found in the Welo area, which do not have the same colour effect but can still be prized for their beautiful texture and colour.

Properties of Welo precious opals

1. Play of colour: Welo opals have an excellent and vivid play of colour, which shows in iridescent hues at different angles. This play of color is caused by the scattering of light on the microscopic silica spheres that make up the opal's structure.
2. Transparency: Welo opals can be clear, translucent or opaque. Transparent and translucent opals are particularly valued for their ability to transmit light, which further enhances their colour effects.
3. Colours: These opals can include a range of colors, from white, yellow, and orange to red, green, blue, and purple. Some of them even have combinations of these colors, which makes them very attractive.
4. Hardness: opals are generally not very hard, usually reaching 5.5-6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. This means that they need to be handled carefully to avoid scratches and damage.

Mining and processing

Opals are mined mainly in the Welo region of northern Ethiopia. They were discovered relatively recently, in 2008, and their discovery brought a major new resource to the market, which until then had been dominated mainly by Australian opals. Since their discovery, they have rapidly gained popularity due to their exceptional quality and beautiful colours. Once mined, they are carefully processed to preserve their natural beauty. This process involves cutting, polishing and cutting. Quality pieces are often selected for the production of exclusive jewellery.

Caring for opals

Opals are sensitive to changes in humidity and temperature, which can lead to cracking or loss of colour. To maintain their beauty, a few basic care rules must be followed:

• Avoid extreme conditions: protect opals from sudden changes in temperature and humidity.
• Cleaning: Clean opals with a soft cloth and lukewarm water. Avoid chemicals and ultrasonic cleaners.
• Storage: Store opals in a dry and safe place, ideally in a soft cloth or jewelry box.

Market and value

Welo opals have quickly gained popularity due to their beautiful play of colour and relative affordability compared to Australian opals. Their price can vary greatly depending on quality, size, colour and transparency. The highest quality opals can fetch very high prices in the gemstone market. Ethiopian opals are a fascinating and affordable choice for gemstone and jewelry lovers. Their unique beauty and play of colors make them one of the most popular gemstones in the world.