DESCRIPTION: Like flames suspended inside a drop of molten sunset, this striking Ethiopian Opal displays an intensely expressive play of colour across its vivid orange translucent body. Golden yellow, fiery orange and bright green flashes appear alongside pink, magenta and occasional violet accents, creating a captivating interplay of warmth, contrast and apparent internal depth. Its optical behaviour is particularly dynamic. At one angle, the opal becomes dominated by broad golden yellow flashes and glowing orange fields. Tilted differently, vivid green appears along individual patches and edges, while pink and purplish highlights emerge between the warmer colours. These changing combinations give the gemstone a lively appearance that invites observation from several directions. The warm colours are especially impressive, appearing as bright, irregular patches and elongated flashes reminiscent of small tongues of flame. Golden yellow areas stand out against the rich orange background, sometimes gathering into broader luminous fields and elsewhere breaking into smaller sparks scattered across the stone. Green, pink and violet introduce a contrasting dimension to this fiery display. Some views reveal concentrated green flashes between the golden areas, while others bring forward broader magenta pink patches and smaller violet accents. These colours punctuate the orange body and give the gemstone a more varied character than its dominant warm palette initially suggests. Its translucent body contributes strongly to the impression of depth. The colours seem suspended at different levels, with some appearing close to the polished surface and others emerging from deeper within the stone. Broad patches alternate with finer streaks and fragmented flashes, creating the visual impression of overlapping layers of fire. This natural opal has been heat treated to enhance its vivid orange body colour. The stone has been polished into an elegant oval cabochon with bright surface lustre and pleasing proportions. Its curved surface provides an attractive setting for the changing flashes, allowing different areas of colour to become visible as the gemstone is tilted under illumination. Originating from Welo, Ethiopia, this opal combines a vivid orange body with golden flame like flashes, lively green accents and expressive pink to violet highlights. Its appeal lies in the relationship between the warmth of its body colour and the shifting patches of light that appear within it. SPECIFICATIONS: • Weight: 0.16 g • Weight in carats: 0.80 ct • Dimensions: 8 × 6 × 3 mm • Origin: Welo, Ethiopia • Mineral identification: Natural Precious Opal • Variety: Orange-bodied Precious Opal • Chemical composition: SiO₂ · nH₂O • Structure: Amorphous hydrated silica • Form: Polished oval cabochon • Body tone: Vivid orange to reddish orange • Play of colour: Multicoloured, dominated by golden yellow and orange flashes, with green, pink, magenta and violet accents • Colours present: Golden yellow, orange, green, pink, magenta and violet • Colour behaviour: Shifting colour patches, elongated flame like flashes and smaller scattered highlights • Transparency: Translucent • Lustre: Bright vitreous polish • Treatment: Heat treated to enhance the orange body colour NOTABLE POINTS: • Vivid orange body colour The gemstone displays a rich orange to reddish orange appearance that gives it an immediately recognisable visual identity. • Brilliant golden yellow flashes Bright yellow and golden patches stand out prominently against the warm background, creating some of the most striking moments in its colour display. • Expressive flame like patterns Elongated flashes and irregular luminous patches evoke tongues of flame suspended within the translucent body. • Lively green accents Selected orientations reveal vivid green flashes between the warmer areas, introducing a fresh contrast to the dominant orange and gold. • Pink and magenta highlights Concentrated pink to magenta patches appear across different views, adding an expressive secondary colour to the gemstone’s fiery presentation. • Delicate violet accents Smaller violet and purplish areas complement the pink flashes and contribute further variety to the play of colour. • Dynamic optical behaviour Changes in orientation reveal different combinations of golden yellow, orange, green and pink, giving the stone a continually changing appearance. • Layered visual depth Broad patches, finer streaks and scattered flashes appear at different apparent depths, creating an engaging impression of overlapping colour. • Elegant oval cabochon The polished oval form presents the colour display within a balanced outline, while the curved surface adds bright reflections and visual depth. • Ethiopian provenance Originating from Welo, Ethiopia, the gemstone combines a distinctive warm body colour with an expressive and varied play of colour. COLLECTOR’S INTEREST: This Ethiopian Opal stands out through the relationship between its vivid orange body and the bright flashes that appear within it. Golden yellow and orange dominate the visual presentation, while green, pink, magenta and violet introduce contrasting accents that become more apparent as the stone is turned. The flame-like appearance is particularly engaging. Some areas form elongated streaks of light, while others open into broader patches or break into smaller scattered flashes. Together, these patterns create a sense of movement and layered depth within the translucent body. Its appeal lies both in the strength of the warm palette and in the unexpected colours that interrupt it. A predominantly orange and golden view can give way to pronounced pink patches or lively green highlights, offering a varied experience under changing illumination. For collectors and buyers seeking an Ethiopian Opal with a distinctive visual personality, this gemstone offers a memorable combination of fiery colour, contrasting flashes and an elegant polished form. LAPIDARY POTENTIAL: The stone has already been polished into an attractive oval cabochon that presents its play of colour effectively. Its curved surface and balanced outline allow the golden flashes, green accents and pink to violet highlights to be appreciated from several viewing angles. Its existing form could be considered for a pendant or another carefully designed jewellery setting, subject to a jeweller’s assessment of its condition and mounting requirements. A setting that leaves the principal display surface visible would allow its shifting colour patterns to remain the focal point. Further cutting would reduce its weight and could alter the arrangement and visibility of the colour patches. In its present form, the gemstone already offers an appealing balance between vivid body colour, apparent internal depth and expressive play of colour. —————— Shipping and Handling: All orders are shipped by Portuguese National Post and UPS. • Dispatch time: within 1 to 3 business days after payment confirmation to Catawiki • Transit time service: between 2 to 5 business days within europe and worldwide, depending on destination national post. • A tracking number is always provided Photography and transparency: All photographs are taken under controlled lighting conditions using a macro lens, carefully selected to present each specimen as accurately as possible. No filters, colour enhancement, or artificial saturation are applied. The lighting setup uses a calibrated 5500K light source, replicating neutral daylight to reveal natural tones, surface features, and internal characteristics. Under warmer or weaker indoor lighting, colours may appear slightly different, which is normal. The purpose of this photographic process is documentation and representation, not visual enhancement. Images are intended to reflect the specimen faithfully as it appears under balanced natural light conditions. Identification and ethics: All specimens offered are natural and described to the best of our knowledge, based on direct sourcing, professional experience, and information provided by trusted suppliers working at the origin. Every effort is made to ensure transparency and accuracy regarding identification, locality, and general characteristics, avoiding misleading statements about treatment, provenance, or nature. Customs and import taxes: Any customs duties, import fees, or local taxes applied by the destination country are entirely the responsibility of the winning bidder. These charges are not included in the auction price or shipping cost and are determined by the buyer’s local authorities. Guarantee and resolution: Customer satisfaction is important. 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