Should Ethiopian Opal be given more attention?

[landscape]

I recently received several Ethiopian black opals (perhaps it is more appropriate to call them black crystal opals or dark opals), which are comparable to Australian black opals in appearance. If these black opals are stable enough, does it mean that Ethiopian black opals can gain sufficient market recognition?

 

[fredflintstone]

I recently received several Ethiopian black opals (perhaps it is more appropriate to call them black crystal opals or dark opals), which are comparable to Australian black opals in appearance. If these black opals are stable enough, does it mean that Ethiopian black opals can gain sufficient market recognition?

Nice Opal!

There is natural dark crystal Welo Opal and black Welo Opal, though it is rare for black Welo Opal not to be smoked or dyed. This looks to be one of the dark crystal Welo Opals, not true black, by looking at the bottom which is brown, they can also be dark gray. Treat it as all Welo Opal, most are hydrophane but some are not. Each Opal is different in its abilities to absorb moisture. Some absorb more, some absorb less. So, one cannot generalize that all are the same in absorbing moisture. Also, as far as crazing these Opals are very stable once cut and cured right, just as much as Aussie Opal.

Stayish Mine Ethiopian Opal is also from the Wollo province, the same province Welo Opal is from. These are non-hydrophane. They look very much like smoked and dyed Welo Opal as they are jet black in body crystal color. They are also stable once cut and cured right. These Opal are generally less bright than Welo Opal, but not all.

The biggest indication that first meets the eye with smoked Welo Opal is the far majority only has green and red color play, though some have more colors. Beware of only red and red color play.

Dark crystal Welo Opal has been around for years. They sale very well.

 

[Neptune]

Appreciate the hand shots very much.

 

[landscape]

Nice Opal!

There is natural dark crystal Welo Opal and black Welo Opal, though it is rare for black Welo Opal not to be smoked or dyed. This looks to be one of the dark crystal Welo Opals, not true black, by looking at the bottom which is brown, they can also be dark gray. Treat it as all Welo Opal, most are hydrophane but some are not. Each Opal is different in its abilities to absorb moisture. Some absorb more, some absorb less. So, one cannot generalize that all are the same in absorbing moisture. Also, as far as crazing these Opals are very stable once cut and cured right, just as much as Aussie Opal.

Stayish Mine Ethiopian Opal is also from the Wollo province, the same province Welo Opal is from. These are non-hydrophane. They look very much like smoked and dyed Welo Opal as they are jet black in body crystal color. They are also stable once cut and cured right. These Opal are generally less bright than Welo Opal, but not all.

The biggest indication that first meets the eye with smoked Welo Opal is the far majority only has green and red color play, though some have more colors. Beware of only red and red color play.

Dark crystal Welo Opal has been around for years. They sale very well.

Thank you for the detailed answer, it is very helpful