Ethiopian Opal round cabochon 5 mm

Opal from Ethiopia

Stone type:

Opal from Ethiopia/Opal

Color:

multicolored

Dimensions:

5 mm Thickness: 3 mm

Shape:

round

Grinding type:

cabochon

Weight in carats:

0,40

Origin:

Ethiopia

Treatment:

untreated

Purity:

translucent

Opal – a mineraloid classified as a silicate. The name comes from Gr.opallios (Latin: opalus)= to see a change (of color).Opal is the best known natural photonic crystal. Some varieties exhibit characteristic optical phenomena: opalescence, opalescence and cat’s eye effect.
Due to the presence or absence of optical effects, opals are divided into: precious opals and common opals.

Green opalcomes from Turkey and is a variety of common opal.

It has a multitude of colors and varieties, of which precious opal is the most popular in jewelry.

Locations of occurrence: The main producer of precious milky and black opals is currently Australia. The second world producer of precious milky and black opals is Brazil. There are very large deposits in Ethiopia, while Mexico is the world’s leading producer of fire opals (Zimapan, Queretaro, Guererro and Chihuahua provinces). Smaller opal deposits are found in the US, Honduras, Kazakhstan, Russia, South Africa, Slovakia and Romania.

Tips for caring for opals:

1. When exposed to water, opal may change its color and lose its color play. However, once the opal is completely air-dried, it will regain its properties. However, it is important not to speed up the drying process with a hair dryer or under intense sunlight. The drying process can take from a few minutes to several weeks, depending on the amount of water absorbed by the opal.

(2) Avoid contact of the opal with water or other liquids. You should remove your opal ring when washing your hands, taking a shower, visiting the pool or washing dishes.

3 To clean your opal jewelry, wipe it gently with a soft, clean cloth. Do not immerse opal in a bowl of soap or other detergents.

4. Before doing anything with chemical liquids, soap oils, shampoo, body oil, hand sanitizer, perfume, hairspray or cleaning products, it is imperative that you remove your opal jewelry. All these substances can permanently damage the opal.

5 Avoid heavy physical activities while wearing opal jewelry. Opals’ resistance to scratching is rated 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale. You should remove your opal ring when doing heavy physical activities such as weight lifting, exercising, cleaning or gardening.

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