Ethiopian Vs Australian Opals: What Sets Them Apart?

Difference Between Ethiopian opal and Australian opal

The love for gemstones has grown tremendously. People are now fond of different colored gemstones even more than diamonds. Among the many kinds of gemstones available, Opal is one of the most good looking gemstones which constitutes all the colors of the visible spectrum.

What is Opal?

The word Opal comes from the Greek word "Opallus," which means "to see a change.” Opal is an amorphous gemstone that produces a rainbow of colors that span the entire color spectrum, unlike most gemstones.

Opal Stone is a silicate stone that is white in color and prized for its exquisite "dance of hues." The water content of this gemstone, which belongs to the silica family and is hydrated, can range from 3% to 21% by weight and is typically between 6% and 10%. This gorgeous gemstone is classified as a mineraloid due to its amorphous nature. Every eye is drawn to the fascinating beauty of this stone, which has amassed a sizable fan base. It is distinctive due to the interaction of all the visible colors, commonly referred to as the opalescence of the spectrum. Natural Opal, Black Opal, White Opal, Matrix Opal, and Fire Opal are some of the most popular forms of opals.

​​For thousands of years, Opal has held a special place in people's hearts. It is a well-known and distinctive white gemstone from the silicate mineral family that is best known as the "Eye Stone" because it can alleviate issues relating to the eyes. It is also prized for bringing luck, purity, love, and hope. It is also an astrological substitute for diamonds; people love wearing this gemstone in all forms of jewelry. Today, we will discuss two similar-looking gemstones of the Opal family - Ethiopian Opal and Australian Opal.

Differentiate based on Origins

Ethiopian Opal

Ethiopian Opal or Opal in Ethiopia is the newest variety of precious Opal gemstones known for showing the amazing play of color. This beautiful-looking gemstone is hugely popular in the market because of its high-end beauty and reasonable prices. The most significant deposits are found in the Wollo Province, where the gems are mined from volcanic rock formations. Ethiopian Opals are known for their striking and diverse color play, often exhibiting vivid reds, oranges, and greens, sometimes within a single stone.

These opals can appear translucent or opaque and are prized for their ability to showcase a vibrant spectrum of colors. Ethiopian Opals have a unique hydrophane quality, meaning when Wet, they can absorb water and change appearance. This feature can make them appear more translucent or even temporarily alter their color, adding to their allure. However, this hydrophane nature can also make them more susceptible to damage if not properly cared for.

Australian Opal

Australian Opal is widely considered the gold standard of opals, with a rich history of mining dating back to the late 19th century. Australia is the largest producer of opals globally, and the country is renowned for its high-quality stones. Nearly 95% of the Australian opal mines are in Lightning Ridge, Coober Pedy, and Andamooka.

Australian Opals are typically found in sedimentary rock formations, which contributes to their stability and durability. These opals are known for their brilliant play of colors, particularly the Black Opals from Lightning Ridge, which are highly prized for their dark body tone and vibrant color contrasts. White Opals and Boulder Opals are also popular varieties found in Australia, each offering unique patterns and hues.

Differentiate based on Price and Quality (Carat, Cut, Clarity, and Weight)

Price

The price of opals can vary significantly based on their origin, quality, and specific characteristics.

• Ethiopian Opal Price: Ethiopian Opals are generally more affordable than Australian Opals due to their abundance and the relatively recent discovery of significant deposits. The supply and demand cycle impacts the price of opals due to their appeal in the Indian and global markets. Ethiopian Opal prices range from INR 1,000 ($12.52) to INR 4,000 ($50.08).
• Australian Opal Price Australian Opals tend to be more expensive, reflecting their status as the industry standard for opal quality. Australian opal can range in price from INR 2,000 ($25.04) per carat to INR 10,000 ($125.19) per carat, depending on size and the aforementioned grade combination.

Carat

Carat weight plays a crucial role in determining the value of an opal, but it is not the sole factor. The beauty and desirability of opals often depend more on their color and pattern than on their size.

• Ethiopian Opal Carat: Ethiopian Opals are available in a wide range of carat weights, making them accessible to various budgets. The hydrophane nature of these opals means they can sometimes be found in larger sizes, but buyers should consider how the stone's appearance may change with exposure to moisture.
• Australian Opal Carat: Australian Opals are also available in various sizes, but the rarity and desirability of larger, high-quality stones can drive prices up significantly. Black Opals can be quite rare in large sizes, increasing their value substantially.

Cut

The cut of an opal can greatly influence its appearance and value. A well-cut opal will enhance the stone's natural color play and overall beauty.

• Ethiopian Opal Cut: Ethiopian Opals are often cut into cabochons, which are polished, dome-shaped stones that maximize the stone's color play. The cutting process for Ethiopian Opals can be challenging due to their hydrophane nature, requiring skilled craftsmanship to preserve the stone's beauty and integrity.
• Australian Opal Cut: Australian Opals are also frequently cut into cabochons, to showcase their unique patterns and colors. Black Opals, in particular, are often cut with a low dome to highlight their vibrant color contrasts. Boulder Opals may be cut to retain some of the ironstone matrix, adding to their distinctive appearance.

Clarity

Clarity in opals is assessed based on the presence of inclusions, cracks, or other imperfections that may affect the stone's appearance.

• Ethiopian Opal Clarity:

  Ethiopian Opals can vary in clarity, with some stones exhibiting minor inclusions or surface imperfections. However, the stone's color play nature often outweighs minor clarity issues, if the stone remains structurally sound.

• Australian Opal Clarity: Australian Opals are generally known for their clarity and stability. High-quality stones typically exhibit few inclusions and maintain their color and pattern over time. The absence of significant cracks or blemishes is particularly important in Black Opals, where clarity can greatly impact value.

Weight

Weight in opals is closely related to carat but can also reflect the stone's density and overall size.

• Ethiopian Opal Weight: Ethiopian Opals are often lighter in weight. This characteristic can affect how the stone feels and sits in Jewelry settings, making it essential to consider both weight and visual appearance when selecting Ethiopian Opals.
• Australian Opal Weight: Australian Opals tend to be denser, giving them a more substantial feel. The weight of Australian Opals is often more consistent with their carat size, contributing to their reputation for durability and quality.

Celebrities wearing Australian Opal

Gemstone jewelry has been worn by royalty, celebrities, and socialites for decades. Much of this jewelry is still in the royals' and celebrities' private collections. Australian opal is one such exquisite and lovely gemstone prized by royalty.

Image of Taylor Swift Wearing Opal

Image Credit: Pinterest

Taylor Swift looking stunning as she graced the red carpet, wearing exquisite opal stone jewelry that perfectly complemented her elegant gown. The opals shimmered with iridescent hues of blue and green, reflecting the light beautifully. Her choice of jewelry added a touch of sophistication and magic, highlighting her natural beauty and making her appearance both memorable and enchanting.

For jewelry manufacturing, Ethiopian opal raw is typically cut and polished into lovely cabochons (flat back and smooth domed surface). Although loose Ethiopian opals can be found in a variety of beautiful shapes, including pear, rectangular, square, cushion, marquise, heart, and more, they are most frequently found in round and oval shapes in the market. Only a small number of faceted Ethiopian opals have vivid color flashes and good clarity, making them extremely precious.

Australian Opal Available At GemPundit

• Natural White Opal With Fire weighing 21.57 carats (23.97 ratti) from Australia
• Natural White Opal With Fire weighing 18.25 carats (20.28 ratti) from Australia
• ​​Natural White Opal weighing 25.63 carats (28.48 ratti) from Australia

Ethiopian Opal Available At GemPundit

• Natural White Opal With Fire weighing 34.46 carats (38.29 ratti) from Ethiopia
• Natural Brown Opal weighing 28.27 carats (31.41 ratti) from Ethiopia
• ​​Natural Opal weighing 20.14 carats (22.38 ratti) from Ethiopia

Gem Lab Certificates Available For Ethiopian Opals At Gempundit

• A sample IGI Certificate for Ethiopian Opal IGI is the largest international laboratory for Diamond and colored gemstone certification which is controlled by a single central governing body that sticks to one internationally acknowledged system for grading.
• A sample AGR Certificate for Ethiopian Opal A sample AGR Certificate of Opal AGR Lab provides genuine services of Gemstone Identification, Treatment Identification, Origin Identification, and Diamond Grading
• ​A sample JBN Certificate of Ethiopian Opal JBN Gem Testing Lab serves and protects the credibility of IGI by certifying gemstones in the course of export and import.

Gem Lab Certificates Available For Australian Opals At Gempundit

• A sample JBN Certificate of Australian Opal JBN Gem Testing Lab serves and protects the credibility of IGI by certifying gemstones in the course of export and import.
• A sample AGR Certificate for Ethiopian Opal A sample AGR Certificate of Opal AGR Lab provides genuine services of Gemstone Identification, Treatment Identification, Origin Identification, and Diamond Grading
• A sample IGI Certificate for Australian Opal IGI is the largest international laboratory for Diamond and colored gemstone certification which is controlled by a single central governing body that sticks to one internationally acknowledged system for grading.

Ethiopian Opals Vs Australian Opals - Which one is better?

The fundamental differences between Ethiopian Opal Vs Australian Opal, two well-known variants of the Opal family, are given here. There are a few factors to keep in mind when selecting a gemstone. Remember to always buy an Opal from reputable suppliers after checking with professional astrologers, whether you're buying an Opal from Ethiopia or Australia. Gemstones have cosmic properties that have the power to change your life, hence they should only be worn by those who get along. In order to help you learn which gemstones would be best for you based on your birth chart, GemPundit offers Free Gem Recommendations. We also have astrologers on staff who can examine your charts and make gemstone recommendations.

Why Choose GemPundit?

The demand for gemstones and gemstone jewelry is rising as consumers increasingly understand its deeper meaning. Therefore, it's important to purchase gemstones from reputable and genuine sellers, and what could be better than doing so from the most recognizable brands in the industry? GemPundit, a famous provider of 100% original gemstones, always consults reputed and authentic gemstone labs to ascertain the authenticity of their gemstones and jewelry.

At GemPundit, you can choose from a wide variety of the best and most genuine gemstone jewelry, all of which have been verified by an authentic and reliable gem lab to have been made with only natural gemstones. Additionally, we have a group of experts that can make recommendations for gemstones for you based on a precise analysis of the planets.

In order to meet the demands of the customer and deliver the best service, our knowledgeable gem consultants offer customer support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Schedule our astrological consultation service for fast and accurate astrological benefits!

Also Read: Opal Stone Benefits and Ehiopian Black Opal