Ethiopian Opal / Welo Opal Trailer / new- 1.54 g - (1)

Pendant Ethiopian Opal / new Set in 925 sterling silver Weight: 7.7 ct / 1.54 g (weighed without leather cord) 14.2 mm x 8.8 mm x 4.8 mm New and unworn Includes leather cord Opals from Australia have been known for a long time. In recent years, however, a new variety from Ethiopia has been stealing a bit of the spotlight: the Welo Opal! This stone is translucent and captivates with its characteristic, unique light reflections. It was discovered in the Semien Wollo mountain region in northeastern Ethiopia. The exact time of discovery, however, is not known. Some sources date the introduction of Welo Opal to the Nairobi market to the year 1993. The discoverer is considered to be chemist Tilahun Yohannes, and as early as 1994 geologist Dr. N. Barot reported this gemstone novelty in an article in the “ICA Gazette.” Extraction began slowly; in 1997 only 10 kilograms were mined. The Addis Ababa-based gemstone cutting company Eyaopal cut out 400 grams from it. In the same year, Welo Opal was presented at the international mineral fair in Sainte-Marie, and a year later Eyaopal showed 350 cut opals at the Tucson trade fair. Commercial mining began in 2008. A new star among opals was born. Shipped as insured letter

Estimate:£1.68

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