[sc_fs_multi_faq headline-0=”h2″ question-0=”1. What makes Welo Opal different from traditional Australian Opal?” answer-0=”The most significant difference is that Welo Opal is hydrophane, meaning it can absorb water like a sponge. While Australian opals are typically opaque with a white background, Welo opals are often translucent or “crystal-like,” giving the play-of-color a three-dimensional depth. Additionally, Welo opals are currently about 1/10th the price of their Australian counterparts.” image-0=”” headline-1=”h2″ question-1=”2. Does getting a Welo Opal wet ruin the stone?” answer-1=”No, but it does temporarily change it. Because it is hydrophane, the stone will lose its opalescence and become water-clear when soaked. However, this is a reversible process; once the stone dries out (usually within a day or two), it returns to its original beautiful state.” image-1=”” headline-2=”h2″ question-2=”3. How should I care for my Welo Opal jewelry?” answer-2=”Because the stone absorbs liquids, you must be careful about what it absorbs. While pure water is fine, you should avoid: Chemicals: Soaps, shampoos, and oils can leave residues inside the stone. Colored Liquids: Liquids like wine or dyes can permanently stain the opal. Extreme Changes: While they are less prone to “crazing” (spiderweb cracking) than other opals, they are still fragile gemstones and should be handled with care.” image-2=”” headline-3=”h2″ question-3=”4. How can I verify if my opal is a Welo Opal?” answer-3=”A simple (and safe) test is to place the stone in a glass of water. If it is a Welo Opal, you will observe the body color change to water-clear within about 20 minutes. It will then return to its normal appearance after it has had time to air-dry.” image-3=”” headline-4=”h2″ question-4=”5. Are there natural Black Opals from Ethiopia?” answer-4=”Yes, but you have to be careful. While natural black opal is mined in Ethiopia, the hydrophane nature of the material also makes it very easy to “smoke treat.” This treatment force-injects smoke into the pores of the stone to blacken it artificially. Always buy from a reputable source to ensure you know whether the color is natural or treated.” image-4=”” count=”5″ html=”false” css_class=””]Welow Opal, a major source of gem opal
Welo Opal is really pretty unusual for a major new gemstone to appear on the market. I only remember a couple in 40 years of this business. Tanzanite comes to mind. Cheap Chinese pearls is another.
It’s easy to forget that this is a once in a lifetime sort of occurrence but a frequently overlooked one is Welo Opal in Ethiopia.
The site was discovered in 2009 and the market has been slowly growing. Less known is that this is one of the largest opal deposits in the world. We’ll be seeing this material for decades or more.
Welo opals are about 1/10 the price of their Australian equivalents that we’ve become accustomed to and that’s led to some curious lore. Are they crap? Are they kidding? Where’s the fine print?
Welo Opal is Hydrophane
To the extent that there’s fine print, it’s that they are what’s called ‘hydrophane’. That means they absorb water like a sponge. They give it up like a sponge too so you can dry them out just as easily as you can get them wet. When they’re wet, they lose the opalescence and that’s, well, weird.
It’s easy enough to avoid by staying out of the pool with them, but it does freak people out and you can change the look if you soak them in wine or something else that leaves a residue. This property lends itself to smoke treatment to blacken the opal. To confuse things further, natural black opal is also mined.
This hydrophane property means that if the stone is exposed to shampoo, oils, soaps or other liquids that can leave a residue It may be damaged. If you sell this opal, your client must understand this very well. A disclaimer on the receipt seems advisable.
How to identify Welo Opal
Drop it in a glass of water and observe the body color change to water clear within 20 minutes. It will return to the previous state within a day or two.
This does not harm the stone at all.
Some stones reportedly react to atmospheric humidity by varied transparency according to weather conditions.
Then there’s the translucency. I like it, but they don’t generally have that white opaque background that people have learned is the look of most Aussie stones. I see it as adding depth and a 3-D look to the play of color. You can see into and sometimes even through the stone sort of like what used to be called crystal opals.
Opals are fragile, and Welo opals are no exception, but they’re far less prone to crazing. That’s the little spiderweb cracks that opals are famous for developing from just sitting around. One day they’re beautiful and the next they look like sugar cubes with play-of-color. There’s no real way to stop it and there’s no way to tell in advance if you’re stone is at risk.
We will undoubtedly see a lot more of this material in the market due to the very low prices and beauty; if end users can be well educated on the special properties, it has a future as a viable gem
“Welo opal” is named after the Wollo Province of northern Ethiopia.
Author: Hobart M. King, PhD, GIA Graduate Gemologist
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Welo Opal: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on the unique properties and market history of Ethiopian Welo Opal, here are five essential questions and answers to help you understand this remarkable gemstone.
1. What makes Welo Opal different from traditional Australian Opal?
The most significant difference is that Welo Opal is hydrophane, meaning it can absorb water like a sponge. While Australian opals are typically opaque with a white background, Welo opals are often translucent or “crystal-like,”giving the play-of-color a three-dimensional depth. Additionally, Welo opals are currently about 1/10th the price of their Australian counterparts.
2. Does getting a Welo Opal wet ruin the stone?
No, but it does temporarily change it. Because it is hydrophane, the stone will lose its opalescence and become water-clear when soaked. However, this is a reversible process; once the stone dries out (usually within a day or two), it returns to its original beautiful state.
3. How should I care for my Welo Opal jewelry?
Because the stone absorbs liquids, you must be careful about what it absorbs. While pure water is fine, you should avoid:
Chemicals: Soaps, shampoos, and oils can leave residues inside the stone.
Colored Liquids: Liquids like wine or dyes can permanently stain the opal.
Extreme Changes: While they are less prone to “crazing” (spiderweb cracking) than other opals, they are still fragile gemstones and should be handled with care.
4. How can I verify if my opal is a Welo Opal?
A simple (and safe) test is to place the stone in a glass of water. If it is a Welo Opal, you will observe the body color change to water-clear within about 20 minutes. It will then return to its normal appearance after it has had time to air-dry.
5. Are there natural Black Opals from Ethiopia?
Yes, but you have to be careful. While natural black opal is mined in Ethiopia, the hydrophane nature of the material also makes it very easy to “smoke treat.” This treatment force-injects smoke into the pores of the stone to blacken it artificially. Always buy from a reputable source to ensure you know whether the color is natural or treated.