Their unique structure is the result of cracks and chips that are filled with mineral inclusions. They are born in igneous rocks through post-volcanic and hydrothermal processes. Deposits of sedimentary opals are found in Australia.Įthiopian opals are of hydrothermal origin. Once in a cavity, water leaves and silicates form microscopic spheres, which later harden and become gemstones. Sedimentary opals occur when water seeps through the ground and captures dissolved silicates. All opals available today are of either sedimentary or hydrothermal origin. Opals are formed as a result of volcanic activity, thermal springs, and erosion. Since then, people have come to believe in the mystical properties of opal, especially in its power to bring good luck. Rumor has it that the stone helped Nonius escape death. Then Mark Antony ordered to kill the senator. The emperor wanted to purchase a magnificent opal as a gift to Cleopatra but the senator did not want to part with his precious asset. A particularly impressive opal was the cause of contention between Mark Antony and Senator Nonius. Traveling to Jerusalem, she presented some of her opals to King Solomon. Historians speculate that Ethiopian opals were part of the jewelry collection of the Queen of Sheba. Leakey discovered opal artifacts in Kenya, and this means that the opal trade took place far beyond Ethiopia. Because the deposits lie close to the surface in some places, they were easy to mine for trade and collecting. Today, Welo opal is considered the most stable among other Ethiopian counterparts.ĭespite the fact that the Ethiopian opal mining industry is relatively young, early men discovered the gems centuries ago. However, as the mines deepened, the quality of Ethiopian gemstones increased significantly. The very first Welo opals were of mediocre quality since they had a tendency to crack. The mine became a source of rare black opals. 2013 marked the opening of the Stayish mine in the same province. In 2008, the Welo Province near Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, acquired worldwide fame when the first batches of milky white and almost translucent stones were brought to light. Featuring orange and reddish-brown body colors, they are known as fire opals. These stones were part of stratified volcanic rock. For the first time, gemstones from Ethiopia entered the international market in 1993 when Mezezo deposits in the Shewa region were discovered. While opals have been around for millennia, Ethiopian varieties have been in the limelight only since the late 20th century. It was the Romans who dubbed the gem ‘opalus’ which meant ‘precious stone’. In ancient Rome, the gem symbolized love and hope. Admirers and connoisseurs gave the stone poetic names – Pandora, Light of the World, Empress, etc. Writers compared them to volcanoes, galaxies, and fireworks. Opals have been known since the dawn of civilization. If you're looking for an astounding mineral for your jewelry, Ethiopian Opal is exactly the right thing. Yet, ethereal opals are born in the bowels of the earth. There is some truth in this since NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter discovered opal deposits on Mars. Allegedly, it came down to us from the sky. Ethiopian Opal was a gift from the godsĪncient people believed that opal was a gift from the gods.
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