![]() ![]() Shewa Province opal is found in stratified igneous rocks such as rhyolite, tuff, and ignimbrite. Much of the opal has a brown, red, or orange body color however, yellow, white, and clear body colors are also found. Opal from this area occurs in a wide range of body colors. This opal originated from a discovery made in the Menz Gishe District in the northern part of the Shewa Province. ![]() Precious opal mined in Ethiopia began entering the gem and jewelry market in 1994. This popularity is being driven by the beauty of Ethiopian opal and their current attractive prices. This surge of public awareness has developed in just a few years without a major mining company or jewelry brand spending millions of dollars to promote them. People now go to the store looking for “Welo opals” or “Ethiopian opals.” They also use the internet and search for these opals by name. These are now producing beautiful precious opal, fire opal, and black opal with spectacular play-of-color in a variety of patterns and body colors.Įthiopian opals are not only beautiful, but they generally cost less than similar-quality opal from Australia. This was followed by important discoveries in 20. Today, Ethiopia is on its way to becoming the second heavyweight in the opal market.Ī small discovery in 1994 put Ethiopia on the worldwide opal map. ![]() During that time as much as 95% of the worldwide opal production has been mined in Australia. Australia has been the dominant force in the opal market for over 100 years. ![]()
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