"GONDAR"  FIELD OPAL ETHIOPIA

This natural untreated specimen is  from a stunning new find in the Gondar area of Ethiopia.This material is called hydrophane as it changes colour from white base to crystal when emersed in water .From our experience most of the material from Gondor is hydroplane.We have taken the photos dry  and wet to show the difference.The wet specimens are placed on a black backing which gives a real kick to the colour

Always let the stone dry out slowerly-do not place under  strong  hot lights.

We have rubbed parts down genlty on a 600 rubber wheel so there are no visible scratch marks.

The opal is not as hard as Australian material as you can feel that it is softer when rubbing it down..There is not much history to this opal but it feels healthy.The chocolate variety has been around for app 15 years and is well known.It appears to be formed by  a sedimentary process unlike the other Ethiopian opal which is from Rhylotic Nodulars and can have a lot of matrix around it.This opal can be cut in to a stone or it be be  kept it in a specimen jar with water and admire its stunning brightness which is brilliant 5/5.

Note this specimen dosent show a lot of colour in natural light-the best way to see the contra luz fire is to hold it at the edge of a lamp.

THIS SPECIMEN DOES HAVE FRACTURES IN IT SO IT WOULD HAVE TO BE TREATED

For tips on cutting this stone go to  the OPAL FORUM section on the front page-Then go to CUTTING OPAL and you will see CUTTING /STABILIZING ETHIOPIAN OPAL.

Transulant/hydrophane

Contra luz colours

Weight  65  cts app 

Size  27  x 24 x 16 mm app