SHEWA ETHIOPIA CHOCOLATE OPAL~WORLD CLASS SPECIMEN~150CT

DESCRIPTION: World Class Ethiopian Chocolate opal cabochon. This opal is the best picked out of a large batch of over several hundred kilos ten years ago and has been part of a private collection.

WEIGHT: 150ct

SIZE: 33x29x27mm (6mm=1/4 inch)

TYPE: Ethiopian Shewa Chocolate Opal

SHAPE: Roval shaped Cab

COLOR: Multi-color saturated mixed metalic neon rainbow fire with 5/5 brightness. The colors are the most vivid I have ever seen!

BODY CLARITY: Opaque/slightly translucent

COMMENT: Large flakes of rainbow color at verying depths and angles create a breathtaking 3D effect.



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Ethiopia Chocolate and Crystal Shewa Province Nodule Opal

These opals are found at Yita Ridge, in the Menz Gishe District of Shewa Province, around 150 miles northeast of Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. The opal field lies around 12 miles north of Mezezo and extends for several square kilometers along the northern side of the Yita Ridge. The opals are found in a nodular form within a continuous layer of welded volcanic ash (tuff, similar to obsidian in character), about 3 metres thick, that lies between weathered rhyolite layers. The nodules are very numerous though the percentage of gem precious opal is quite small. Figures in 1995 estimated that around 15% of the opal recovered was gem quality, and around 1% shows distinct play of colour. It should be noted that most of the nodules do show internal fractures and crazing and that this is standard with this type of opal in the trade. In our opinion, they do little to detract from the rare beauty or investment value of this opal. Some nodules have been cut and show no fractures at all...crack free cabochons are not out of reach and are a sight to behold. There's a very small percentage that contain precious opal and the most coveted of these nodules have center opal showing brilliant neon colors across the spectrum. Truly "World Class"!!! The Chocolate opals we sell have been cut for 3 years or longer before sale. These opals are a must have for any collector as a specimen or can even be set in jewelry. The photographs will never do these opals justice. To hold one in your hand is to understand just how amazing they are.