Table of Contents
Why do WELO opals turn yellow?
Hydrophane opals have the ability to absorb water or liquids, similar to a sponge, resulting in a change of color that may turn the opal translucent yellow or brown and the play-of-color to disappear temporarily.
Are WELO opals a good investment?
Welo Ethiopian opal is unique, durable, and currently plentiful, and we highly recommend this gem as a best buy at this time.
Can you get WELO opal wet?
Ethiopian Opal Jewelry Care: Try not to use too much water, and if possible, simply use a damp cloth. If your Ethiopian Opal gets wet, don’t worry. The color and transparency will change temporarily however it will revert to its original color as it dries over a few days.
How do you keep Ethiopian opals from cracking?
The treatment was shown to remove the 5-6% mass of water in the pores in Ethiopian opal and to then seal them by impregnation with a silica sol. These gems were then less susceptible to dehydration and cracking even upon considerable heating.
How can I restore my Ethiopian opal color?
Soak in warm water. You may try soaking your stone in warm water for a few hours. Then take it out of the water and allow it to dry on its own, whether it takes days or weeks to complete. This approach is usually effective in restoring the color of your Opal.
How do you clean WELO opals?
Gently wash your opal ring with a soapy toothbrush under running water (be sure the water is not hot as this can damage the stone!) This is all you should need to keep your ring sparkling clean. With your opal, it is crucial you avoid all ultrasonics, as well as any chemicals as these can damage your opal permanently.
Do WELO opals have to stay in water?
It’s not necessary to store them in water, oil, or glycerin. Your opals will be fine as long as you don’t subject them to sudden changes in temperature or rough handling.
How do you keep Ethiopian opals from turning yellow?
Do WELO opals need water?
Keep Opals Away From Water! Ethiopian Opals are “hydrophane”, this means that they absorb water and when they do their appearance changes. If the Opals come in contact with water, they will soak it up it like a sponge.
How do you cut a WELO opal?
How To Cut Ethiopian Opal
- Set the Opal on your dop stick using glue.
- During cutting use as much water as possible.
- Do not use excessive pressure, let the Opal guide you.
- Shape and polish the Ethiopian Opal and enjoy the display of colours after you have finished polishing.
Can you fake Ethiopian opal?
As such, there are discrepancies in the gemstone market, particularly with the rise of fake or counterfeit gems being advertised and sold as natural. Unfortunately, this is the case with Ethiopian opals. Despite the prevalence and ample supply of stunning natural opals from Ethiopia, the market is riddled with fakes.
Whats a WELO opal?
Ethiopian Welo opal is a hydrophane meaning that it can soak up water like a sponge. When hydrated the stone becomes more translucent and the play of colors more defined. After it releases water it reverts back to opaque.
How can I tell if my Ethiopian opal is real?
Look at the pattern and play of color, it will be tightly bunched together, and under a loop light, there will be no gaps in the pattern. In other words, the flakes of pattern will be so tightly compacted that it appears uniform. Natural opals will have different size flakes within the gemstone.
How is WELO opal formed?
Ethiopian opals, however, are hydrophane opals, created as a result of volcanic activity, forming in nodules within the volcanic ash in stratum between rhyolite layers….Ethiopian Opal Geological Properties.
| Mineral Information | Hardened silica gel with water content |
|---|---|
| Specific Gravity | 1.98 – 2.20 |
| Refractive Index | 1.450 |
What are WELO opals?
Welo Opal “Ethiopian Opals” Many of the opals mined in Ethiopia are hydrophane opals, particularly from the Welo rocks. Hydrophane Opal is a fresh word designed to define a specific Opal form. Opals have been mined for thousands of years in Europe and more than 165 years in Australia.