Amongst different white opal origin varieties, white opal gemstone from Australian mines is regarded as the finest and the most valuable. It usually bears a white, cream or opalish body color and is less transparent. It displays a rich and intense play of color that remains in all seasons. For all these reasons, white opal gemstone prices for Australian stones remain comparatively higher than other origin varieties. Australia is one of the oldest and leading exporters of fine-quality white opal to the international gem market.
On the other hand, Ethiopian White Opal is relatively new to the market as it was discovered in 2008 in the Welo district of Northern Ethiopia. The Ethiopian pieces are usually more translucent in comparison to the Australian variety. The fire in Ethiopian opal is also less intense and often disappears during the humid weather. Sometimes, it loses the fire in humid conditions because the stone is slightly porous by nature and takes on the water. However, it retains its sparkle back in dry conditions. Ethiopian Opal is an economical option.
Therefore, one should always purchase best quality white opal stone from Coober Pedy or other popular mines of Australia. But if the budget compels, Ethiopian white opal can also be worn to gain desirable results. It is always recommended to purchase a high quality, real and natural white Opal of Australian origin certified by a trusted gemological institution like GIA, GRS, IGI, GII or Gubellin etc. At GemPundit, one can easily find a huge catalogue of certified loose Australian White Opal gem and certified loose Ethiopian White Opal online at most budget friendly price rates.