![]() We've only been exposed to the junk found in jewelry stores. As an American, I can say emphatically, that Americans wouldn't know a true gem opal if it sat up and bit them on the whatsus. The best gem opals are kept in AU, not sold to suppliers (unless you're Harry Winston). Black gem opals cost more per carat than a fine diamond. Other than a red diamond, which is the rarest in the world, diamonds don't come close. Black gem opals are the 9th rarest gem in the world. The opals on sites like this, are the rarest in the world. After reading the comments again, I suspect that most folks are comparing the opals on a site like this one, based in AU and specializing in gem AU opals, with the average Ethiopian found in US jewelry stores, non-opal specialty sites, or Ebay. If you decide to double check my information (and I hope you do), make sure that the info is from a reputable source, like a university, not someone who has a vested interest in the opal. They actually work harder since the mine owners won't "squander" their profits on mundane things, like proper mining or safety equipment. It's unfortunate that the Ethiopian miners don't have the same consideration. But, do not blame the AU miners for making money that they've earned. If you feel comfortable with this situation, then by all means, pay less for the Ethiopian material. Go to YouTube and check out the typical Ethiopian opal mine. The miners are left out and get paid a small stipend. The price for Ethiopian opals will increase dramatically, because the government has made it illegal to sell rough outside of the country they realize that the real money is in finished jewelery. They're prevented from selling the rough by their government. The Ethiopian miners are extremely vulnerable and poor. Needless to say, corporations and those who are able to afford the licences, have no conscience. The government has left the responsibilty for health abd safety to the mine owners. The licenses are prohibitively expensive. Only licensed people can own mines or sell the opal. Most hold other jobs, because they don't make enough to live off of mining. There is unstable opal in all countries, but the Ethiopian material is the most unstable. I managed to get one single 1.56 carat cab. I thought it would be stable, so I tried to cab the rest of the material this past summer. For the past 14 years, the remaining material sat in my rough case. Every one cracked during the cabbing process. This 200+ carat parcel was the most beautiful opal I've ever laid eyes on. Just in case you think I'm associated with AU or its miners, I bought some very expensive AU crystal opal rough many years ago. Yes, I've had a couple of AU or others crack as well, but not nearly as many as the Ethiopian material. Inevitably, it's the Ethiopian cabs that crack. My Ethiopians sit along side of the AU,Brz, and Mex. I store each of my cabs in small gem containers, which sit in 50 jar cases. I've had Ethiopian cabs crack 6+ months after being finished. However, the vast majority is hydrophane, which can crack by virtue of being submerged in water. Not all Ethiopian opal is hydrophane some is identical to the AU opal and it's durability and stability match the AU material. But very little of it is stable and it's much softer. Ethiopian material has the most consistent gem color of any opal. I've had a minimum of 70% of the Ethiopian material crack, no matter how much I baby it. They get so hot that the wax will melt during the polishing process. While cabbing them, I plunge them into cold water to cool them. ![]() I "un" dopp them by putting them in the freezer. When I cab opal, I dopp it to a dowel rod, using a hot wax that will quickly cause 2nd degree burns. Like it or not, AU has the hardest and most stable opal. A lot of Mexican opal is hydrophane, like the majority of Ethiopian, so i have extensive experience with hydrophane. Over 20+ years, I've worked with AU,Mexican, Brazilian, and Ethiopian opal.
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