Opal is sorted first by body colour — the background the flashes sit on — and white body is both the commonest and, for most people, the easiest to wear. The colours read as bright and clean against it, and it suits silver as readily as gold.

The stone

6.10 carats, which is 6.70 ratti. Rs. 15,250, about Rs. 2,500 per carat, reference GS-000736. Recorded shape: oval. Origin: Ethiopia. One piece.

How white this stone really is

We measured the centre of the photograph rather than describing it from impression. The body reads at a brightness of 200 out of 255 — a genuinely light, near-white background, not a pale grey being flattered by the lighting. Colour flashes cover about 12% of the face, which is among the broadest coverage in our Ethiopian stock, with greens and warm oranges leading.

That combination — light body, generous coverage — is what white opal is bought for. It does not have the drama of a dark-bodied stone, where the same flashes appear to glow out of shadow, but dark Welo bodies are uncommon and a dark stone offered cheaply deserves a question about smoke treatment.

Body colour, briefly

• White or light body. Bright, cheerful, the most available, and what this stone is.
• Crystal or transparent body. Colour appears to float inside the stone rather than sit on it.
• Dark body. Scarce in this material, dramatic, expensive — and the type most often imitated by smoke treatment.

The water question

Ethiopian opal is usually hydrophane: porous enough to absorb water, after which it can turn clear or cloudy and lose its play of colour for a time. It comes back as the stone dries. Let it dry slowly at room temperature and never apply heat. Keep it off during washing, swimming and wudu, and away from oils and perfume, which soak in and do not evaporate.

Treatment

This stone has not been tested and the specification sheet says so. Its bright body gives no reason to suspect smoke treatment, but an untested stone is an untested stone and we will not dress that up. Independent laboratory testing can be arranged before dispatch if you would like it.

Care

Opal rates 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale — soft enough to want a protective setting and gentle handling. Soft dry cloth only; no ultrasonic cleaner, no steam, no hot water. Check for crazing, the fine surface cracks that show in dried-out material, under a good light.

More on opal

The opal buying guide covers body colour and pattern in more depth, the real or fake guide covers imitations, and the Ethiopian opal page has the rest of the range.

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 6.1 Carat. Its price is Rs. 15,250 — roughly Rs. 2,500 for each carat. Origin: Ethiopia. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-000736 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.

From six carats up a stone becomes the centre of attention. It wants a broader shank or a secure claw setting and suits an occasion ring, a signet or a centre pendant. Clean natural material of this size turns up far less often, and the per-carat rate reflects that.

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.