Almost every Ethiopian opal sold today is Welo opal, named after the highlands where it is found. Deposits there were opened in 2008, and within a few years they had changed the opal market: good play of colour on a bright body became affordable for the first time. If you have seen an opal ring in Pakistan in the last decade, there is a fair chance this is what it was.

The stone

7.25 carats, which is 7.97 ratti. Rs. 18,130, about Rs. 2,501 per carat, reference GS-000731. Recorded shape: oval. Origin: Ethiopia. One piece, as photographed.

What makes Welo opal distinctive

1. Bright body colour. Measured from the photograph, this stone's body reads at a brightness of 199 out of 255 — a light, near-white body that lets the colour flashes read clearly.
2. Broad play of colour. About 9% of this stone's face is flashing colour rather than plain body, with greens and warm oranges leading.
3. Size at sensible money. Welo yields clean material in useful sizes, which is why a 7.25 carat stone costs what it does here rather than several times more.
4. It is hydrophane. That is the trade-off, and it is covered below.

The water behaviour you need to know about

Welo opal is usually hydrophane: slightly porous, so it absorbs water. A stone that gets wet can turn clear or cloudy and lose its play of colour for a time. It is temporary — as the stone dries the colour returns — but it alarms people who have not been warned. Let it dry slowly at room temperature, never with heat. Take the ring off before washing, swimming or wudu, and keep it away from oil and perfume, which soak in and do not evaporate the way water does.

Treatment

This stone has not been tested, and we say so on the specification sheet instead of claiming otherwise. The treatment to be aware of in this material is smoke treatment, used to darken a pale body and imitate the scarcer dark-bodied opals. A bright body like this one gives no reason to suspect it, but the honest statement is that the test has not been done. We can arrange independent laboratory testing before dispatch if you want it.

Durability and care

Opal rates 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale — softer than quartz, softer than sapphire, soft enough that it wants a protective setting and a careful owner. No ultrasonic cleaner, no steam, no hot water. A soft dry cloth is all it needs. Check any opal under a light for crazing, the fine surface cracks that open up in dried-out material.

More on opal

The opal buying guide covers what to look for, the guide to spotting fake Ethiopian opal covers the imitations, and how to wear opal covers the practicalities. The rest of the range is on the Ethiopian opal page, and our wider opal collection has the other types.

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 7.25 Carat. Its price is Rs. 18,130 — roughly Rs. 2,501 for each carat. Origin: Ethiopia. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-000731 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.