**Important Care Notice – Hydrophane Welo Opal** This opal will be shipped with a dedicated container and should be kept immersed in clean water at all times. To maintain its brilliance and structural integrity, the water should be changed every five days. If the opal is left dry for a period of time, it may temporarily lose lustre or show visual changes. This is not permanent and can be reversed once the stone is properly rehydrated. By maintaining the opal in water, its optical qualities, structural stability and overall beauty will be preserved exactly as intended. This care method is standard practice for high quality hydrophane Welo opals and ensures long term enjoyment of the specimen. ———————- Description: Emerging from the volcanic lands of Ethiopia, this natural Welo opal reveals a vivid and expressive internal world, defined by an intense and constantly shifting play of colour. From the very first interaction with light, the stone comes alive with a radiant chromatic display that feels fluid, organic and deeply immersive. The first impression is dominated by an animated play of colour that unfolds immediately under light. Across its translucent body, flashes of electric green and vivid lime form the backbone of the display, constantly shifting and igniting as the angle changes. These greens are interwoven with golden yellow and warm amber tones, creating a luminous internal glow that feels almost sunlit from within. As the light travels across the surface, subtler hues emerge. Soft blue accents appear intermittently beneath the dominant greens, while warm orange and delicate red flashes ignite along internal fractures and curved growth lines. In certain angles, these colours overlap and blend, producing fleeting transitions from green to gold, from yellow to orange, and finally into brief sparks of red, giving the stone a dynamic, almost fluid character. The opal’s natural surface preserves its geological authenticity, framing the internal colour play with organic textures that enhance contrast and depth. Light travels freely through translucent zones, amplifying the stone’s sense of motion and giving each viewing angle a distinct visual identity. No single face dominates the experience; the colour responds dynamically from multiple directions, rewarding exploration and interaction. This specimen captivates through energy rather than spectacle, through movement rather than symmetry. Its beauty lies in the conversation between light and colour, in the way each shift reveals a new composition, making the opal feel alive, responsive and endlessly engaging. Specifications: • Weight: 12.74 g • Weight in carats: 63.70 ct • Dimensions: 37 × 24 × 24 mm • Origin: Welo, Amhara Region, Ethiopia • Type: Natural Welo opal • Play of colour: Multi directional and highly responsive • Colour palette: Electric green, lime green, golden yellow, amber, soft blue, orange and red flashes • Colour behaviour: Strong shift with angle and light movement • Transparency: Translucent to semi translucent • Lustre: Vitreous • Surface: Natural, unpolished • Condition: Natural and untreated Notable Points: • Ethiopian Welo opal with an exceptionally lively and responsive play of colour • Dominant electric green and lime tones forming the core of the chromatic display • Golden yellow and amber hues creating a warm internal glow • Subtle blue accents appearing beneath green zones under angled light • Intermittent red and orange flashes adding contrast and depth • Strong colour movement, enhancing visual engagement • Entirely natural surface preserving raw geological character • Colour behaviour changes dramatically with minimal movement • Visually expressive specimen ideal for close inspection and focused lighting • Excellent example of colour driven Welo opal rather than size driven material Collector’s Interest: This Welo opal will appeal to collectors who value colour dynamics over mass. Amazing chromatic behaviour to feel concentrated and energetic, making it particularly rewarding under display lights or in hand. For collectors building a diverse Ethiopian opal collection, this piece represents a lively and expressive counterpart to larger, structural specimens. Its broad colour range and constant movement make it an engaging study piece, ideal for those who appreciate the subtleties of Welo opal colour play and the emotional response it can evoke despite modest dimensions. Lapidary Potential: While the opal does present areas of colour that could suggest selective cutting, its natural form and organic flow are best appreciated as is. Preserving the specimen intact maintains its full visual narrative and ensures that its multi directional colour play remains uninterrupted. —————— Shipping and Handling: All orders are shipped by UPS express or National Express. • Dispatch time: within 1 to 2 business days after payment confirmation to Catawiki • Transit time with Express service: up to 3 business days within europe and worldwide • A tracking number is always provided Photography and transparency: All photos were taken under controlled light conditions, carefully selected to reproduce the most accurate natural colour of each specimen. No filters, colour enhancement, or artificial saturation were applied. The lighting setup uses a calibrated 5500K light source, which replicates neutral daylight and reveals the true tones and clarity of the mineral. Under weaker or more yellow indoor lighting, colours may appear slightly different, which is normal and expected. The purpose of this setup is to present each specimen exactly as it appears in balanced natural daylight, allowing buyers to appreciate its authentic colour and lustre without distortion. Identification and ethics: All specimens offered are guaranteed natural and as described. Their origin and mineral identification are provided with the most accurate and reliable information available. Every effort is made to ensure that each piece is presented with full transparency, avoiding any misleading details regarding its nature, treatment, or provenance. 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 a priority. In the event of any issue, such as loss, damage, or discrepancy, please contact us immediately through Catawiki’s messaging system. We will always find a fair and suitable solution, including refund, replacement, or other commercial arrangements whenever justified. Appreciation and commitment: We sincerely thank you for your trust and preference. Our goal is to continuously bring you some of the most beautiful, unique, and exceptional mineral specimens from around the world. Each piece is carefully selected for its quality and character, ensuring that every purchase meets the highest standards. Your satisfaction and confidence are our top priorities, and we will always strive to exceed your expectations with every order. With gratitude, GemPulse Minerals