Handful of Rainbows; Welo Opal Beads!

[iLander]

I got a hank of Ethiopian Welo Opal beads at a recent bead show, and I love them. I've seen a ton of them on Etsy and Ebay, and after returning a couple of strands, I decided that it's something that really needs to be purchased in person. When I saw these at the show for $150, I jumped on them. The vendor had about 8 strands, and he said he gets them at the Tucson show. I strung them with a gold-filled clasp and gold glass seed beads. I tried a bunch of other seed beads, but the gold looked the nicest.

They are graduated, from 4 x 6 to 8 x 10, and every one of them has fire. They are lovely to look at, but difficult to photograph, so I took a bunch for everyone's perusal. The strand I picked had the most red fire, and a slightly milky body color.

If you want some, google "bead show" and your state, and you might find a strand near you!

 

[iLander]

I know, the differences in the photos are pretty subtle, but opals are pain to capture!

 

[JewelFreak]

Stunning. Cool find. They must look really nice in the light as you move & it catches the colors. You can wear it with just about any color too. Very nice!

--- Laurie

 

[Enerchi]

Oooooooh!!! gorgeous!! Those are beautiful!

 

[minousbijoux]

Oooh, ooh! I love them! I also love the word "hank!"

 

[Rosebloom]

I ADORE opal beads. Ooooo - you're killing me with those beauties!

 

[chrono]

Beautiful! They look best in the hand photos but you know what? There's something missing....like a neck shot!

 

[Starzin]

Lovely!! Well done you

 

[LD]

Lovely lovely lovely!

 

[Agneau]

I have a suggestion for picture taking! Try taking them outside on an overcast day, or at the least in a cool shady spot. I find that gives the opals a chance to show their colors without being "forced." Indoor florescent and incandescent lights will bring out certain colors... And while the sunlight is beautiful on opals, I feel clouds/shade always seems to bring out the best color range. I Live in Florida and the humidity in the air also changes the way my opal reacts. It is clearer looking on more humid days vs. the few cool/dry days we get here it seems more creamy and "solid."
I also found that my phone's camera does a better job at capturing my opal than my more expensive Sony camera. Don't know why.


Congratulations on your opals!

 

[minousbijoux]

I have a suggestion for picture taking! Try taking them outside on an overcast day, or at the least in a cool shady spot. I find that gives the opals a chance to show their colors without being "forced." Indoor florescent and incandescent lights will bring out certain colors... And while the sunlight is beautiful on opals, I feel clouds/shade always seems to bring out the best color range. I Live in Florida and the humidity in the air also changes the way my opal reacts. It is clearer looking on more humid days vs. the few cool/dry days we get here it seems more creamy and "solid."
I also found that my phone's camera does a better job at capturing my opal than my more expensive Sony camera. Don't know why.


Congratulations on your opals!

That is so cool! iLander, have you found this to be the case as well?

And yes, Neck shots, or I'll sick the The Committee on you

 

[iLander]

I have a suggestion for picture taking! Try taking them outside on an overcast day, or at the least in a cool shady spot. I find that gives the opals a chance to show their colors without being "forced." Indoor florescent and incandescent lights will bring out certain colors... And while the sunlight is beautiful on opals, I feel clouds/shade always seems to bring out the best color range. I Live in Florida and the humidity in the air also changes the way my opal reacts. It is clearer looking on more humid days vs. the few cool/dry days we get here it seems more creamy and "solid."
I also found that my phone's camera does a better job at capturing my opal than my more expensive Sony camera. Don't know why.


Congratulations on your opals!

That is so cool! iLander, have you found this to be the case as well?

And yes, Neck shots, or I'll sick the The Committee on you

I have done the old "dip them in water and watch them change" trick, if that's what you mean. The Welos are very changeable with water (some go clear, some go cloudy, some lose the POC), but I have an Australian opal that gets more grey as I wear it. It starts out white, then ends up dark blue/grey at the end of the day. I have one Welo that COMPLETELY disappears in water, and all you see is a little spot of color play. Freaks me out, so I don't do it too much.

 

[iLander]

Thanks, Laurie, Enerchi, Minous (hank! ), Rosebloom, Chrono, Starzin, LD! You guys rock (pun intended! )!

Agneau, yes, that is exactly how I shot them.

 

[SB621]

Such a fun necklace! I love the shine it gives off. Is it also true to life in sunlight?

 

[tara3056]

very pretty!

 

[yssie]

Ohhhh beautiful
*sigh*

 

[purplesparklies]

Hose are stunning!

 

[purplesparklies]

Grrrrr..... THOSE!

 

[Agneau]

I have done the old "dip them in water and watch them change" trick, if that's what you mean. The Welos are very changeable with water (some go clear, some go cloudy, some lose the POC), but I have an Australian opal that gets more grey as I wear it. It starts out white, then ends up dark blue/grey at the end of the day. I have one Welo that COMPLETELY disappears in water, and all you see is a little spot of color play. Freaks me out, so I don't do it too much.

Hahahaha. You are braver than I am.
I have been tempted to put mine in water to experience the action, but I feel like I can't part with it for the amount of time it would take to dry out again.
I have read over and over that it will revert to it's normal state and color play without a problem, but I fear my opal is the exception and I will ruin it somehow.