Natural Ethiopian Opal 1.82ct Oval Cabochon
€31.00 EURSKU: op413
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A well-proportioned oval cabochon whose upper two thirds are densely packed with color. Red and crimson lead, arriving in short broken streaks, with green, gold and a clear violet-blue filling the gaps, and at close range the whole area reads almost mosaic-like. The lower third of the dome is quieter, a translucent white with a faint blue cast where light passes through, which gives the busy upper area something to sit against.
Opal produces color by diffraction rather than by absorption. White light meets a regular stack of silica spheres inside the stone, is split, and returns to the eye one wavelength at a time depending on the angle, which is why an opal that looks red from one side can look green from the other. The stone is from Ethiopia and is untreated. Welo opal is hydrophane and takes on water, so it should be kept dry and away from ultrasonic cleaning. An 11x8mm oval is a standard calibrated size, which makes setting straightforward, and opal's 5 to 6.5 hardness favors a design that protects the edges. Opal is the October birthstone.
Natural Ethiopian opal, 11x8mm oval cabochon, sold loose.
We ship worldwide from Sofia, Bulgaria. Every order is packed in a protective box with bubble wrap. Orders within Bulgaria are dispatched within 1-2 business days and international orders within 2-3 business days. Free shipping is applied automatically at checkout, and the threshold applies to the order value after any discounts.
Delivery within Bulgaria
- Delivered by Speedy, Econt or Box Now, to a courier office, a locker or your address.
- Fixed prices: Box Now locker €1.60 (free on orders from €25), Speedy office €3.20, Econt office or locker €4.00, Speedy to your address €4.50.
- Free shipping on orders over €50, with any courier and at any weight.
- Cash on delivery is available.
- Delivery normally takes 1-2 business days after dispatch.
- Hardness
- 5-6.5
- Cleavage
- None
- Durability
- Poor
- Soapy water
- Damp cloth
- Ultrasonic
- Avoid
- Steam
- Avoid
About opal
Opal is amorphous: unlike most gems, it has no crystal structure. It is made of silica and water, and in precious opal the play of color comes from microscopic spheres stacked in neat rows that split light. It is 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale and sensitive to knocks, heat and sudden temperature changes. Ethiopian opal is usually hydrophane: it can soak up water and turn temporarily cloudy or lose its play of color, which returns as it slowly dries.
Cleaning
Wipe it with a soft cloth dampened in lukewarm water and dry it at once. Do not soak it or leave it in water. Skip ultrasonic and steam cleaners: opal contains water and can crack (craze) with vibration or heat. Never use oil on it.
Wear and storage
Below 7 on the Mohs scale, it can be scratched even by household dust, which contains quartz. It suits pendants, earrings and brooches better than rings worn every day. Store it on its own in a soft pouch, away from harder stones.
For your jeweler
This opal is untreated. Opal should be kept away from the torch flame, acid pickle and the ultrasonic bath. A bezel or another protective setting suits it best.
Scale
True to scale: 11 × 8 mm
Shown next to a €1 coin (23.25 mm) in the exact ratio, so you can picture the real size.
