"Fire" is used two different ways in the gem trade and the difference matters when you are spending money. In opal it means the play of colour — the flashes that move as the stone turns. Elsewhere it means a body colour, an orange-to-red stone that may show no play of colour at all. This listing means the first: the colour that moves.

The stone

3.40 carats, which is 3.74 ratti. Rs. 28,130, about Rs. 8,500 per carat — the highest rate per carat in our Ethiopian opal range. Reference GS-000709. Recorded shape: oval. Origin: Ethiopia. One piece, as photographed.

Why this stone carries the highest rate

Not size: at 3.40 carats it is a middling stone in our range and there are pieces here seven times heavier. The rate is paid for the colour. Measured from the photograph, flashes cover about 9% of the stone's centre against a body brightness of 198 out of 255, and the flashes themselves are vivid rather than muted — greens running into warm oranges and reds. Across our Ethiopian opals the rate runs from roughly Rs. 1,199 per carat to this one, and that spread is almost entirely a colour story.

How to judge opal colour for yourself

1. Tilt it. Play of colour that survives from several angles is worth far more than colour visible from exactly one.
2. Look at coverage, not peak brightness. One brilliant patch on a dull stone is worth less than even colour across the face.
3. Count the colours. Red is the scarcest and lifts the price most; green and blue are commoner.
4. Check it is in the stone. A flat colour film that does not move as you tilt is a doublet or a backing, not opal.

The water question

Ethiopian opal is usually hydrophane — porous enough to absorb water, after which it can turn clear or cloudy and lose its colour for a time. It returns as the stone dries. Dry it slowly at room temperature, never with heat. Take it off for washing, swimming and wudu, and keep oil and perfume away, since those soak in and stay.

Treatment

Not tested, and our specification sheet records exactly that. Smoke treatment is the known treatment in this material, used to darken pale bodies and imitate scarcer dark-bodied opal; this stone's body is bright and gives no reason to suspect it, but we will not claim a test we have not run. At this rate we would encourage independent laboratory testing, which we can arrange before dispatch.

Care

Opal rates 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale — soft, and happiest in a protective setting. Soft dry cloth only; no ultrasonic cleaner, no steam, no hot water. Look for crazing under a light.

More

The opal buying guide goes deeper into judging play of colour, the price guide explains the rates, and the real or fake guide covers doublets and imitations. The rest of the range is on the Ethiopian opal page.

Ordering

One piece only. Flat Rs. 500 delivery anywhere in Pakistan by insured, tracked courier, dispatched in one to two working days. Cash on Delivery — open the parcel and look at the stone before you pay — and seven days to return it unused. Dimensions have not been recorded; message us on WhatsApp at +92 308 887 3888 and we will measure it.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural ethiopian opal with a weight of 3.4 Carat. Its price is Rs. 8,500 — roughly Rs. 2,500 for each carat. Origin: Ethiopia. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-000709 when you message us about it. The photographs show this exact stone, so what arrives at your door is the piece you chose on screen.

Between two and six carats is the range most people choose for a gents' ring or a noticeable pendant. Here colour drives the price more than size does, which is why two stones of near-identical weight can be priced very differently.

Whoever you buy ethiopian opal from, make sure of three things: the stone is natural rather than lab-grown, glass or glass-filled; any treatment is stated in writing; and the weight quoted is the weight of the finished stone. We check every ethiopian opal for those three points before it is listed, a certificate is available on request, and because you pay on delivery you can look at the stone — or have it tested — before any money changes hands.

We sell natural stones only and inspect each one before it is listed. Treatment for this stone: Treatment not tested. Certificate available on request. As general background (not a statement about this stone): Solid opal is usually untreated; some opal is smoke- or sugar-treated, and doublets/triplets exist — we sell solid natural opal. Ask us on WhatsApp and we will tell you what we know about this exact stone; independent lab testing is available on request.

A certificate of authenticity is available on request for this stone, and independent laboratory testing can be arranged. Because you pay on delivery, you can also take the stone to a lab of your choice within the 7-day return window. Read more on our authenticity page.