ETHIOPIAN OPALS

(updated 1/14/10)

These opals are found as nodules, and are from Yita Ridge, near Mezezo, Amhara Regional State, in central Ethiopia. They have incredible fire and come in a variety of colors - from clear/white to chocolate brown. I get these directly from the former owner of the mine, so that I can offer them at a very reasonable price. I sell these as mineral specimens. If you want to purchase them to cut for jewelry, as shown below, please see my Rock & Gem magazine article (Oct. 2005) to learn about their cutting characteristics. As with all opals, they require an experienced cutter to get the most from them.

We've recently purchased a few of the opals from a new location in Ethiopia (Wogel Tena, Wollo region), and these are commonly referred to as "desert opal". These have incredible fire, and are beautiful to see.

The following photos are just to give you an example of the wide range of color, and to show some of the fire within the opals. I have them priced from $16 to $150, depending on quality and size. I also have assembled bags of mine rough that weigh from 30 to 100 grams, priced from $0.50 to $1.50 per gram. If you are interested in bulk (kilograms) wholesale purchases, click here to send an e-mail to the mine owner.

ethiopian opal____#G08-540. (SOLD) This chocolate brown nodule has some great fire. $62.

 

ethiopian opal__#G05-281. This large nodule not only has great fire, but the top portion of it (shows as milky white in the photo) is contra-luz, which means that the fire shows as light shines through it. About 65 grams, $140.

 

__#G05-496. Lots of fire in this white opal. $85.

 

We also have had several opals faceted, and a few of them have been set into jewelry pieces (earrings and pendants). A few examples are shown below.

 

__ The photo does not do justice to these 2 pieces. They are set in 14k gold settings. The piece on the left weighs about 1.5 carats($215), and the one on the right weighs about 1 carat ($127).

 

__ This is an unusual cut, and a yellowish color. It weighs about 1.4 carats ($150).

 

__ This specimen has great color and lots of fire. It weighs about 1 carat ($150).

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