Crystal Clear Natural White Ethiopian Opal 2.90ct Teardrop Cabochon
€130.00 EURSKU: op417
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Transparency is the first thing this teardrop shows: printed text placed behind it reads clearly straight through the dome, which is the mark of true crystal opal. Floating inside that clear body are discrete patches of color, and they change completely with the angle. Held one way, a broad sheet of brilliant emerald green fills the center of the stone; turned slightly, that green disappears and scarlet and magenta streaks take its place, with smaller blue and gold flecks scattered near the point. Because the color sits within a clear body rather than on a milky one, it appears to hang in three dimensions.
That sense of depth is a real optical effect. In crystal opal the ordered silica spheres that diffract light are suspended in a transparent matrix, so color is returned from several levels within the stone rather than from a single opaque surface, and it shifts as the eye moves. Crystal-grade material is the less common output of Ethiopia's Welo fields. The stone is untreated. As hydrophane opal it will absorb water and may go temporarily clearer or cloudier, returning as it dries, so keep it dry and away from oils and ultrasonic cleaners. A 14.8x9.5mm teardrop makes a natural pendant, with opal's 5 to 6.5 hardness in mind. Opal is October's birthstone.
Natural Ethiopian crystal opal, transparent teardrop 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: 14.8 × 9.5 mm
Shown next to a €1 coin (23.25 mm) in the exact ratio, so you can picture the real size.
