Description: If it were possible to gather the entire visible spectrum into a single gemstone, the result might resemble this extraordinary Dragon Scale Opal. Across its domed surface, colours ignite simultaneously in a vibrant orchestration of reds, oranges, yellows, greens, blues and violets, each hue shifting and evolving as the light moves across the stone. Rather than appearing as isolated flashes, the colours cluster together in organic formations that resemble the overlapping scales of a mythical creature, giving the stone its evocative Dragon Scale character. This opal presents a remarkable chromatic architecture in which different colour structures coexist within the same optical field. Ribbon like bands of colour sweep across the surface in flowing motion, while broad flashes ignite in wider patches of intense light. Beneath these structures, rolling fire moves subtly through the interior of the opal layer, creating a sensation of internal movement that makes the stone appear almost alive when tilted. The dominant colour range moves through luminous blues and greens, which form the primary chromatic background. Over this vibrant foundation, intense bursts of red, orange and golden yellow appear intermittently, producing striking contrast and elevating the overall spectral richness of the stone. Violet and purple tones emerge in specific viewing angles, completing what is essentially a full spectrum display visible to the naked eye. The internal colour architecture is highly responsive to changes in light orientation. As the stone is rotated, different colour zones ignite and fade, creating a continuous transformation of colour rather than a static pattern. This dynamic behaviour is one of the defining qualities of high diffraction Ethiopian opal material. Structurally, this gemstone is a doublet composed of a natural Welo opal layer mounted onto a dark backing. The darker base intensifies the perceived colour saturation by enhancing contrast and allowing the play of colour to appear deeper and more luminous. This construction is commonly used in jewellery to maximise the visual impact of opal while maintaining structural stability. The result is a gemstone that performs both aesthetically and technically. Its colour display is rich and multidimensional, while its structure allows it to function perfectly as a centre stone in jewellery design. The high dome cabochon cut further amplifies the internal light interaction, allowing the colour fields to expand across the surface in dramatic fashion. Originating from the renowned Welo opal fields of Ethiopia, this stone belongs to a deposit celebrated for its intense spectral diffraction and vibrant play of colour. The volcanic hydrothermal environment in which these opals formed produced silica structures capable of separating white light into vivid spectral components, giving rise to the remarkable colour phenomena seen in this specimen. Rather than presenting a single dominant flash pattern, this Dragon Scale opal displays a mosaic like organisation of colour plates that create the impression of living scales shifting under light. The visual effect is both powerful and mesmerising, making the stone equally compelling as a collector specimen or as a centrepiece for jewellery. Specifications: • Pattern: Dragon Scale pattern with Ribbon and Broad Flash structures • Colours present: Full visible spectrum including red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet • Weight: 1.91 g • Weight in carats: 9.55 ct • Dimensions: 14 × 12 × 8 mm • Origin: Welo, Oromia Region, Ethiopia • Mineral identification: Natural Precious Opal • Variety: Welo Opal • Structure: Hydrated amorphous silica • Body tone: Translucent colour layer mounted on dark backing • Transparency: Semi translucent opal layer • Lustre: Vitreous high polish • Construction: Doublet gemstone • Treatment: None beyond doublet mounting • Cut: High dome oval cabochon Notable Points: • Exceptional Dragon Scale colour organisation The colours cluster into overlapping chromatic plates that resemble the scale structure of a mythical creature. • Full spectrum play of colour The stone displays nearly the entire visible colour range including vivid red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet. • Ribbon and Broad Flash interaction Flowing ribbon structures combine with wider flash zones to produce a highly dynamic optical performance. • Dominant blue green chromatic base Cool spectral tones create a luminous foundation upon which warmer flashes ignite dramatically. • Presence of strong red and orange The appearance of these high energy colours significantly enhances the visual intensity of the stone. • Rolling internal fire Subtle internal movement of colour produces a sense of depth and continuous chromatic transformation. • High dome cabochon cut The curved surface amplifies light interaction and maximises colour visibility across multiple viewing angles. • Doublet structure enhancing colour contrast The dark backing intensifies colour saturation and gives the opal a deeper visual presence. • Highly responsive to light orientation Small changes in angle activate entirely different colour zones across the surface. • Ideal gemstone for jewellery centrepieces The shape, dome and colour intensity make it perfectly suited for pendant or ring design. Collector’s Interest: Ethiopian opals from the Welo region have gained global recognition for their vivid colour intensity and their ability to display complex optical structures within relatively small stones. Specimens showing organised colour patterns such as Dragon Scale formations are particularly captivating because the colours appear grouped into structured zones rather than random flashes. This specimen distinguishes itself through its remarkable chromatic diversity and its scale like colour architecture. The simultaneous presence of strong greens, blues, reds and oranges across the surface produces a highly balanced spectral composition that is rarely confined to a single colour family. For collectors of opals, stones that display multiple structural colour behaviours within one body offer greater visual complexity and geological interest. The combination of ribbon structures, broad flashes and rolling fire movement places this opal within the category of highly expressive Ethiopian material. Lapidary Potential: The gemstone is already cut in a high dome cabochon form that maximises its colour display, making it immediately suitable for jewellery mounting. Its proportions and domed profile are particularly well suited for use as a pendant centre stone, where multi directional light exposure will continuously activate the Dragon Scale colour architecture. Because the stone is constructed as a doublet, its primary lapidary value lies in jewellery integration rather than further cutting. The dark backing enhances colour contrast and allows the play of colour to appear deeper and more dramatic when set in metal. For jewellery designers seeking a gemstone with intense chromatic presence and strong visual identity, this opal offers outstanding potential as a centrepiece element capable of transforming light into a vivid, shifting mosaic of colour —————— Shipping and Handling: All orders are shipped by Portuguese National Post. • Dispatch time: within 1 to 3 business days after payment confirmation to Catawiki • Transit time with CTT service: between 5 to 7 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. In the unlikely event of an issue such as loss, damage, or discrepancy, please contact us promptly through Catawiki’s messaging system. Each case is handled individually and fairly, with appropriate solutions offered when justified. Appreciation and commitment: We sincerely thank you for your trust. Our work focuses on careful selection, accurate representation, and respectful presentation of mineral specimens with character and interest. Each piece is chosen for its individual qualities rather than speculative or financial considerations. We aim to provide a transparent, reliable, and consistent experience for collectors at all levels. With gratitude, GemPulse Minerals