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Opal · Variety of Opal

Ethiopian Opal

White to yellow-orange body with strong play-of-color; hydrophane absorbs water

Orange White Yellow
Optical properties

Optical characteristics

Ref. index
1.37 – 1.47
Luster
Vitreous to waxy
Pleochroism
None None.
Fluorescence
Typically strong white or bluish-white under SW UV; variable under LW.
Origins

Source localities

Ethiopia Ethiopia: Wollo / Shakiso / emerald fields
Major ★ Top Source

Major modern source for opal and emerald; the Wollo Province is the primary source of Ethiopian opal.

90% est. supply
Worldwide Worldwide
Commercial

Broad worldwide occurrence or distribution.

10% est. supply
Treatments

Enhancement & treatment

Color Enhancement Smoke Treatment Smoke treatment darkens opal body color to imitate black opal or improve contrast. It… Color Enhancement Sugar-Acid Treatment, Opal Sugar and acid create carbon inside porous opal to darken the body. It can…
Inclusions

Inclusions & features

Clouds Pinpoint Clouds Under 10x loupe: concentrations of extremely tiny bright dots that individually are too small… Fractures Feathers and Fractures Under 10x loupe: irregular internal surfaces that catch light and appear bright, wing-like, or… Crystals Crystal Inclusions Under 10x loupe: solid, well-formed mineral crystals trapped inside the host gem. They may…
Identification

Instruments used

10x Loupe Your most-used instrument, start every examination here Refractometer Measures refractive index, the backbone of gem identification Hydrostatic Scale Measures specific gravity, works even on opaque stones UV Lamp, Long Wave and Short Wave Fluorescence exposes treatments, synthetics, and origin High CRI Penlight Tiny concentrated white spot for field checks, inclusions, fire, and fractures