Opal Crystal - Height: 80 mm - Width: 70 mm- 342 g - (1)

Ethiopian rough opal – 342 g / approx. 1,710 ct – large collection piece with intense color play and natural matrix

Offered is an exceptionally large rough opal from Ethiopia weighing 342 grams, corresponding to about 1,710 carats.

The piece is in its natural rough state and shows a particularly varied combination of translucent opal areas, strong warm body colors, visible play-of-color, and preserved host rock.

Already at the surface and within various transparent to translucent areas, clear play-of-color is visible.

Color and play-of-color

The base color of the opal varies significantly within the piece. Notable colors seen include:

* Honey yellow and golden yellow
* Orange and vivid amber / cognac tones
* reddish to reddish-brown areas
* lighter cream-colored to slightly greenish-gray patches

Especially interesting is the present play-of-color. Depending on the viewing angle and light, clearly noticeable reflections appear in:

Red – Orange – Yellow – Green

Locally, smaller blue-violet reflections can also be seen.

The red and orange areas in particular appear strongly in direct sunlight. In other areas, a striking green to yellow-green fire is visible.

Transparency

Large parts of the opal material are translucent and partly noticeably light-transmissive. This makes internal structures, color zoning, and the play-of-color visible.

The transparency varies within the rough piece. In addition to clearer opal areas, there are cloudier patches, natural inclusions, and areas with host rock in the stone.

These differing zones give the piece its characteristic natural rough-stone character.

Natural matrix / host rock

A substantial portion of the original host rock or natural matrix is preserved.

The beige-gray to brown matrix areas stand in clear contrast to the translucent honey-colored and orange-red opal patches. In several places, at the transition between matrix and opal, the play-of-color is also visible.

The matrix has not been removed. The piece thereby documents very vividly the natural embedding of the opal in the host rock.

This makes the stone interesting both as a large mineralogical collectible piece and as potential material for further lapidary processing.

Natural inclusions, cracks and fracture structures

The piece is in its rough state and thus has numerous natural structures.

Present and visible in the photographs are in particular:

* host rock and matrix inclusions
* natural inclusions
* crack and fracture lines
* fissures
* different opal zones
* natural irregularities and break surfaces

Some crack and fracture lines run through transparent or color-play opal areas.

Photographs – important note

The photographs show the actual offered specimen from different perspectives and partially as close-up/macro shots.

All images were taken in natural, direct sunlight.

The stone was moistened with water for the photographs.

Moistening the surface increases the surface luster and makes transparency, internal structures, and the existing color play especially visible in the photographs.

Direct sunlight also intensifies the perception of the play-of-color.

Therefore the stone may appear visually less intense when completely dry and under normal or diffuse room light than in the photographs.

Note on Ethiopian opal and possible hydrophane properties

Many Ethiopian opals – especially material from the Welo/Wollo region – can have so-called hydrophane properties.

Hydrophane opal can absorb water and later release it again. During this process, transparency, body color, and the perception of the color play can temporarily change.

The stone offered here has been moistened for the photographs. The images expressly document the appearance of the stone in its moistened state and in direct sunlight.

A precise locality determination within Ethiopia and gemological testing regarding hydrophane properties were not performed.

Details of the piece

Mineral: Rough opal
Origin: Ethiopia
Weight: 342 g
Carat weight: approx. 1,710 ct
Condition: natural rough state
Matrix/host rock: considerable presence
Transparency: predominantly translucent, locally more light-transmissive
Body colors: honey yellow, golden orange, amber/cognac, reddish to reddish-brown, plus lighter gray-greenish areas
Play-of-color: especially red, orange, yellow and green; locally additional color reflections
Natural features: matrix inclusions, additional inclusions, cracks, fissures and fracture lines
Treatment: no treatment known; moistened for photography
Photography: natural direct sunlight, partly macro/close-up

The sale is made by private seller.

All information provided to the best of my knowledge based on my own observations and information available to me. Since I am a private seller and not a gemological institute, I do not provide any warranty for the accuracy of mineralogical or gemological determinations or other details, as far as legally permissible. In particular, unintended errors in origin, properties, or condition statements cannot be fully excluded.

The photographs are an explicit part of the description. Please examine all images carefully, especially regarding matrix, inclusions, cracks, fracture lines, surface texture, and overall condition.

The item is sold in the condition shown in the photographs.

This is a private sale with exclusion of warranty for defects to the extent permitted by law. No guarantees and no right of return. Excluded are claims that cannot be excluded by law, especially in cases of intentional or fraudulent conduct.