Genuine Ethiopian ‘Mezezo’ Smoked Opal - 2.315ct.(ML07)

Type - Smoked Opal. Location - West Shewa, Ethiopia. Dimensions - 8.62mm x 11.43mm x 4.83mm. Weight - 2.315cts. Shape - Oval. Visible Colours - Multicoloured Fires. Finish - Polished Cabochon. Brightness - Bright. Pattern - Broad-flash/Flagstone. Video Link - https://www.instagram.com/jcopaluk/reel/DHfE-b2oWk0/ This smoked Ethiopian opal has been cut and polished to a very high standard. The beautiful piece has two patterns, with tight puzzle like ‘flagstone’ dominating the reverse of the stone, and bright rolling ‘broad-flash’ on the observe. Opal is best viewed ‘moving’ in bright sunlight, or bright artificial light. The light/torch on a phone is very good, and can reveal colour that you never thought was there without a substantially brighter light source. Ethiopian opals are unique in their varied vivid patterns, ranging from Welo Broad Flash, to Fire Cloud. The most sought-after pattern is honeycomb, a pattern exclusive to Ethiopian opal. As you can see in this piece, the smoke treatment produces stunning results. The process requires wrapping the opal in paper, and heating it in an enclosed container, then cooling and washing it. Hydrophane opals take on the smoke treatment really well, and without this process, the opal would be dull and hardly visible. All my photographs and video footage are taken under artificial light with an iPhone 15 Pro. No enhancement or filters were used or added, just good angles and close ups, with a mini tripod and a remote. Any questions, queries or opal/lapidary advice, please don't hesitate to drop me a message, as I'm always happy to help. Regards JC