DESCRIPTION: First, red flickers like embers beneath a veil of ivory. Then orange glows like the last light of sunset, followed by yellow flashes that catch the eye like scattered drops of gold. A different angle brings electric green into view, before blue and violet introduce the cooler colours of twilight. This White Opal brings these contrasting moods together within a softly luminous body, enriched by delicate pink and magenta accents. Its fascination lies in that changing balance: gentle in its pale background, vivid in its flashes, and never quite the same from one perspective to the next. The warmer tones are particularly expressive. Scarlet and coral red appear in distinct irregular patches, accompanied by tangerine orange, amber and bright yellow. Some areas form broader islands of colour, while others break into smaller flecks scattered between them. In several views, orange and red become prominent across the upper portion and central face; elsewhere, finer golden and peach coloured flashes brighten the lower areas. This variation gives the warm palette both strong focal points and a more delicate surrounding detail. The cooler colours provide an equally engaging counterpoint. Bright green ranges visually from fresh lime to more concentrated emerald tones, sometimes appearing beside yellow within the same coloured area. Blue introduces deeper accents, with violet and lavender softening the transitions around certain patches. Occasional aqua, pink and magenta tones further enrich the combinations. Across the different views, these colours create a rainbow palette extending from red through violet, rather than a display dominated by only one or two hues. The pattern combines relatively broad, irregular colour patches with much finer scattered flashes. Some patches have clearly defined boundaries, while others dissolve into softer colour veils within the pale body. This interplay between concentrated colour and more diffuse areas gives the impression of depth beneath the polished surface. As the viewing angle changes, different patches become prominent, allowing green and blue to take visual priority in one perspective and red, orange and yellow in another. The interest therefore comes from both the individual colours and the changing relationships between them. The body appears milky white to ivory, with pale cream and gentle honey yellow undertones becoming more noticeable towards certain edges and in some lateral views. Its translucent appearance gives the display a softly illuminated quality, with the stronger coloured patches standing out against this lighter background. The stone has been fashioned into an oval cabochon with a pronounced curved face and a flatter reverse profile visible from the side. Its polished surface carries broad reflections that follow the dome, while colour remains visible around the curved flanks in several perspectives. Originating from Welo in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia, it presents a distinctive combination of pale body colour, varied pattern and vivid rainbow accents. The listing images were selected from video footage and digitally enhanced for texture, local contrast and colour presentation, including AI assisted processing. They illustrate the gemstone under the recording conditions rather than guaranteeing an identical appearance in every environment. The visibility and intensity of individual colours vary with the direction and strength of illumination, viewing angle and screen settings. SPECIFICATIONS: • Weight: 0.51 g • Weight in carats: 2.55 ct • Dimensions: 10 × 8 × 5 mm • Origin: Welo, Oromia Region, Ethiopia • Mineral identification: Precious Opal • Variety: White Opal • Form: Polished oval cabochon with a pronounced domed face • Body tone: Milky white to ivory, with pale cream and honey yellow undertones • Play of colour: Broad rainbow palette extending from red through violet • Colours present: Red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet, with aqua, pink and magenta accents • Colour behaviour: Irregular colour patches, concentrated flashes, fine scattered flecks and changing colour combinations across different viewing angles • Transparency: Translucent appearance with a softly milky body • Lustre: Vitreous, with a polished surface • Treatment: No NOTABLE POINTS: • Extensive rainbow colour palette The different views show red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet, complemented by aqua, pink and magenta accents. This broad combination gives the opal considerable chromatic variety without relying on a single dominant hue. • Expressive red and orange patches Scarlet, coral and tangerine tones form some of the most noticeable areas of the display. Their relatively broad distribution creates strong focal points against the softer ivory body. • Bright yellow and green contrasts Golden yellow, lime and more concentrated green tones introduce lively transitions between the warmer and cooler colours. In certain areas, neighbouring yellow and green flashes create particularly striking combinations. • Distinct blue and violet accents Blue, violet and lavender provide cooler points of contrast among the red, orange and green patches. Their presence adds depth to the palette and gives several views a noticeably different visual character. • Luminous pale body tone The milky white to ivory body creates a gentle background for the play of colour. Pale cream and honey yellow undertones add warmth in some perspectives while preserving the overall light appearance of the gemstone. • Combination of broad patches and fine flashes Larger irregular areas of colour are accompanied by smaller scattered flecks. This contrast in scale gives the display both immediately recognisable features and finer details to appreciate on closer examination. • Changing colour emphasis with perspective Different views bring different colours to the foreground. Some perspectives emphasise fiery orange and red, while others give greater prominence to green, blue and violet, making the stone visually engaging when turned. • Appealing impression of internal depth The combination of sharply defined patches, softer colour veils and a translucent body creates the impression that the colours occupy different visual depths. This effect contributes to the opal’s softly luminous appearance. • Pronounced oval cabochon profile The curved face gives the stone a rounded presence, while the lateral views reveal the dome and flatter reverse profile. Colour visible around the curved flanks adds interest beyond the principal frontal view. • Ethiopian provenance and individual character Originating from Welo in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia, this opal brings together a pale body, warm undertones and a distinctive arrangement of rainbow coloured patches. Its particular combination of pattern and colour provides the individuality that makes each precious opal visually different. COLLECTOR’S INTEREST: This White Opal offers a compelling balance between a softly luminous body and a varied, expressive play of colour. Its interest lies not only in the rainbow palette, but also in the different forms those colours take: broader red and orange patches, concentrated green and blue accents, softer violet transitions and finer scattered flashes. Together, these elements create a display with several levels of visual interest, from its overall colour balance to the relationships between individual patches. For a collector who appreciates the individuality of precious opal, the changing emphasis between warm and cool colours is especially engaging. The pale background gives the stone a different character from dark bodied opals, with colour appearing within a softly illuminated setting rather than against a black base. Its polished cabochon form allows that appearance to be appreciated as a finished gemstone, whether retained for a collection or considered for a bespoke jewellery design. LAPIDARY POTENTIAL: The stone has already been fashioned into an oval cabochon that presents its principal colour display across a pronounced curved face. The existing outline and polished dome give it a finished appearance, while the colour visible in lateral views adds interest around the profile. A bespoke setting could be designed around this shape, taking account of the most attractive viewing orientation and allowing the coloured face to remain the visual focus. Further cutting would remove material and could alter the relationship between the visible colour patches and the surface. There is therefore no clear basis in the photographs for recommending a different cut. Retaining the present cabochon would preserve its current pattern and proportions, with any decision about additional polishing or mounting made after direct examination by a lapidary or jeweller experienced in opal. —————— 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. 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