Opal Tumbled - Height: 1.6 cm - Width: 1.1 cm- 2 g - (6)
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Six pieces of Opal from Ethiopia in burattato form, weighing a total of 2 g, with dimensions about 1.6 cm by 1.1 cm by 6 mm, supplied with one protective bag/box.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
L.4- 5 Ct- 1 gr
This lot consists of 5 small pieces of Ethiopian Black Welo Opal, rough-cut and partially polished in a freeform shape, with a total weight of 1 gram (equal to 5 carats).
Ethiopian black opals (often called Black Welo Opals) obtain their dark base color through a natural hydrothermal mineralization process or, more frequently on the market for this specific smoky shade, through a traditional smoky heat treatment that saturates the stone’s porous base without altering its properties.
# Description and Visual Quality
Despite the very small size (each piece weighs on average only 1 carat), the lot shows notable optical properties:
* Play of Color: The contrast with the dark base maximizes iridescence. You can observe electric color flashes of exceptional vibrancy, with a strong dominance of bright neon green and shifting fire red, distributed in patches (pinfire and flash patterns).
* Finish and Purity: The stones have been cleaned of the host rock and present a smooth and glossy surface. Given the sizes, they retain irregular shapes suitable mainly for micro-jewelry or the collection of small samples.
In stones with a dark base, price is strongly influenced by the presence of the red reflection (the rarest and most appreciated in opals).
Considering the millimeter size of these 5 pieces, they are excellent for use together in a micro-jewelry project (such as small sparkle points or a multi-stone ring).
L.3- 5 Ct- 1 gr
This single specimen is a natural Welo Opal from Ethiopia, partially rough-cut and hand-polished in a freeform shape.
Technical Data and Measurements
Thanks to the references present in the photos (the digital scale and the geometric ruler), we can derive the exact physical data of the gemstone:
* Weight: 1 gram (which exactly corresponds to 5 carats).
* Height: About 1.4 cm (14 millimeters).
* Base Width: About 1.3 cm (13 millimeters).
* Shape: Freeform and irregular, characterized by a pointed or tooth-like profile, without geometric facets.
# Optical Description and Quality
The various photographic exposures highlight the gemstone’s hydrofane nature and a truly notable light response:
* Play of Color: Under direct lighting (macro photo), the gem shows a beautiful and lively iridescence. It features an internal multicolored fire dominated by neon green flashes and intense yellows, accompanied by peaks of fire red and localized orange mainly on the edges and base.
* Transparency and Body Tone: The stone is classified as a Crystal/Semi-Crystal Opal. When viewed against the light, it assumes a warm, yellow/amber translucent tone, while against a dark base the milky body stands out, enhancing the electric color refraction. The purity is very high: the piece has been completely cleaned of the outer matrix rock and shows no superficial destructive fractures.
This very distinctive pointed form would be excellent for a pendant necklace.
*As I am not an expert, I leave to the professionals the correct assessment of whether the lot is natural mineral or synthetic.*
The description is AI-assisted
Please refer to the image for a proper evaluation
Tracked and protected shipping.
L.4- 5 Ct- 1 gr
This lot consists of 5 small pieces of Ethiopian Black Welo Opal, rough-cut and partially polished in a freeform shape, with a total weight of 1 gram (equal to 5 carats).
Ethiopian black opals (often called Black Welo Opals) obtain their dark base color through a natural hydrothermal mineralization process or, more frequently on the market for this specific smoky shade, through a traditional smoky heat treatment that saturates the stone’s porous base without altering its properties.
# Description and Visual Quality
Despite the very small size (each piece weighs on average only 1 carat), the lot shows notable optical properties:
* Play of Color: The contrast with the dark base maximizes iridescence. You can observe electric color flashes of exceptional vibrancy, with a strong dominance of bright neon green and shifting fire red, distributed in patches (pinfire and flash patterns).
* Finish and Purity: The stones have been cleaned of the host rock and present a smooth and glossy surface. Given the sizes, they retain irregular shapes suitable mainly for micro-jewelry or the collection of small samples.
In stones with a dark base, price is strongly influenced by the presence of the red reflection (the rarest and most appreciated in opals).
Considering the millimeter size of these 5 pieces, they are excellent for use together in a micro-jewelry project (such as small sparkle points or a multi-stone ring).
L.3- 5 Ct- 1 gr
This single specimen is a natural Welo Opal from Ethiopia, partially rough-cut and hand-polished in a freeform shape.
Technical Data and Measurements
Thanks to the references present in the photos (the digital scale and the geometric ruler), we can derive the exact physical data of the gemstone:
* Weight: 1 gram (which exactly corresponds to 5 carats).
* Height: About 1.4 cm (14 millimeters).
* Base Width: About 1.3 cm (13 millimeters).
* Shape: Freeform and irregular, characterized by a pointed or tooth-like profile, without geometric facets.
# Optical Description and Quality
The various photographic exposures highlight the gemstone’s hydrofane nature and a truly notable light response:
* Play of Color: Under direct lighting (macro photo), the gem shows a beautiful and lively iridescence. It features an internal multicolored fire dominated by neon green flashes and intense yellows, accompanied by peaks of fire red and localized orange mainly on the edges and base.
* Transparency and Body Tone: The stone is classified as a Crystal/Semi-Crystal Opal. When viewed against the light, it assumes a warm, yellow/amber translucent tone, while against a dark base the milky body stands out, enhancing the electric color refraction. The purity is very high: the piece has been completely cleaned of the outer matrix rock and shows no superficial destructive fractures.
This very distinctive pointed form would be excellent for a pendant necklace.
*As I am not an expert, I leave to the professionals the correct assessment of whether the lot is natural mineral or synthetic.*
The description is AI-assisted
Please refer to the image for a proper evaluation
Tracked and protected shipping.
Details
Number of objects
6
Main mineral
Opal
Mineral form
Tumbled
Supplement
1 bag - protective box
Weight
2 g
Origin (region/city)
Spain
Country of origin
Ethiopia
Height
1.6 cm
Width
1.1 cm
Depth
6 mm
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Disclaimer
It is believed that certain gemstones and minerals have beneficial health and spiritual properties. However, using or wearing gemstones or minerals does not mean that you can treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please consult your health care professional for information on health care issues and do not stop any medications or courses of treatment, without first consulting your health care professional. The use of gemstones or minerals as a wellness therapy is one of personal choice. While stones or crystals have been used historically to relieve or prevent symptoms, the objects sold on our website offer no guarantee of results. Therefore, Catawiki cannot guarantee or be held liable for the effectiveness of these objects sold herein.
It is believed that certain gemstones and minerals have beneficial health and spiritual properties. However, using or wearing gemstones or minerals does not mean that you can treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please consult your health care professional for information on health care issues and do not stop any medications or courses of treatment, without first consulting your health care professional. The use of gemstones or minerals as a wellness therapy is one of personal choice. While stones or crystals have been used historically to relieve or prevent symptoms, the objects sold on our website offer no guarantee of results. Therefore, Catawiki cannot guarantee or be held liable for the effectiveness of these objects sold herein.
