Behold the untamed beauty of this Premium Black Ethiopian Opal Rough! This exceptional Welo opal showcases a captivating dark body tone, which serves as the perfect backdrop for a stunning, multi-color play of fire. It's a true standout gem, ready to be transformed into a masterpiece. This rough stone provides the ultimate creative freedom, allowing you to determine its final shape and size.
Gemstone: Fire Opal
Variety: Ethiopian Opal (Welo Opal) - Black Body Tone
Weight: 20.40 Carats
Dimensions: 25x17 mm
Color: Black Body Tone with Multi-color Flashes (Vibrant Red, Green, Blue, Orange Fire)
Suitable For: Cabochon, Faceting, Carving, Custom Jewelry, Pendant, Specimen, Collection
Natural/Lab-Created: Natural
Treatment: Smoked (A common and permanent practice to enhance body tone)
Transparency: Opaque to Translucent
Shape: Natural Rough / Irregular
Country/Region of Origin: Ethiopia
Mine: Ethiopian
Certification: $10 extra, IGITL
Condition: Natural Rough Stone
Brand: Razaan Gems
Plays of Color: Yes, Intense Multi-Fire
This black Ethiopian opal rough presents a fantastic opportunity for both seasoned lapidaries and aspiring jewelry designers. Its natural, uncut form offers the freedom to create a one-of-a-kind cabochon or a unique freeform piece, limited only by your imagination. The rich, dark body tone, achieved through a widely accepted smoking process, makes the vibrant flashes of color exceptionally vivid and dramatic. Examine the stone from every angle and prepare to be mesmerized by the intense fire of reds, greens, and blues that shimmer just beneath its surface. This is not just a stone; it's a raw piece of natural art, waiting for its full potential to be unlocked.
Authentic Black Ethiopian Opal: Guaranteed 100% natural Welo opal from Ethiopia. Its striking dark body tone is achieved through a standard and accepted enhancement process.
Professionally Smoked for Enhanced Color: To achieve its desirable black body color, this opal has undergone a "smoking" treatment. This is a standard and widely accepted practice for enhancing the body tone of Ethiopian opals, intensifying the contrast and making the play of color more vivid. This treatment permanently darkens the body color and does not affect the opal's inherent fire, durability, or stability.
Ideal for Lapidary Artists and Jewelers: This versatile piece is perfect for:
Lapidaries: An ideal candidate for cutting into a stunning, high-quality cabochon, a unique freeform gem, or a small carved piece.
Jewelers/Designers: Its exceptional fire makes it suitable for setting into custom jewelry (e.g., a unique pendant or statement ring) for a raw, organic look.
Unleash Your Creativity: As a rough stone, it provides the ultimate creative freedom. You have the ability to determine its final shape and size, making it a truly personalized project from start to finish.
Intense Multi-Fire Play of Color: Prepare to be captivated by the dazzling flashes of specific dominant colors, such as fiery reds, brilliant greens, electric blues, and golden oranges, dancing across its surface. The dark background makes the spectral colors pop with stunning contrast.
Stable and Durable for Cutting: This Welo opal is known for its stability and is an excellent candidate for the cutting wheel. With proper care during the cutting process, it will yield a magnificent, finished gem.
The 'smoking' process is a safe and permanent method used to enhance the color of Ethiopian opals. This process involves heating the opal in a reducing atmosphere (often with smoke), which allows microscopic carbon particles to penetrate the stone's porous surface. This darkens the body color, which in turn dramatically increases the contrast and makes the play-of-color more vivid and striking. This is a common and fully accepted industry practice and does not compromise the structural integrity or value of the opal. The result is a stunning, black-bodied opal that is even more beautiful than its untreated counterpart.
Hydrophane Properties: Ethiopian Welo opals are known for their hydrophane nature. This means they can absorb water and temporarily change transparency. Once they dry out, they return to their original state and color play. For finished jewelry, it is generally recommended to avoid prolonged water exposure. The smoking treatment does not affect the hydrophane nature of the opal, but rest assured, the stone's integrity remains intact. The body tone will not fade or wash out with exposure to water.
Recommended Cutting Practices: When cutting Ethiopian opals, it is generally advised to use water sparingly and allow the stone to dry completely before further work. Using a slow-speed cutting wheel with a diamond grit is recommended to prevent chipping or cracking.
Natural Character: As a natural rough stone, it may contain minor internal inclusions, natural fissures, or areas of host rock. These are part of its authenticity and character, and a skilled cutter can work around them.
Best Practices for Hydrophane Care: While the smoked body tone is permanent, it's best to avoid prolonged exposure to liquids or extreme temperature changes for the finished gem. This ensures the long-term beauty and integrity of your finished piece.
At Razaan Gems, we are more than just a seller; we are passionate gem enthusiasts dedicated to the art and science of opals. We personally source each stone, ensuring it meets our high standards for quality, fire, and a clean, durable structure. Our expertise in Ethiopian opals allows us to bring you the finest raw materials for your creative projects. We believe that every stone has a story, and we are committed to helping you tell yours through the jewelry you create or the collections you build. We are always available to answer your questions and provide guidance on working with these incredible gems.
Shipping: Fast and secure shipping worldwide with tracking via USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL.
Handling Time: Same Day Shipping for orders placed by 2 PM IST.
Delivery Time: Estimated 8-12 business days for USA deliveries.
Returns: FREE 30-day no-questions-asked return policy. Buyer pays return shipping.
Refunds: Issued promptly upon receipt of the returned opal in its original condition.
We accept PayPal, Credit Cards, Venmo. Payment is due within 3 days of purchase.
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Don't miss the chance to own this rare and exceptionally beautiful Black Ethiopian Opal Rough! Add it to your collection or create a truly unique piece of jewelry today!