This natural 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐩𝐚𝐥 weighs 𝟎.𝟔𝟕 𝐜𝐭 and is fashioned in an oval faceted cut, combining a transparent to lightly translucent appearance with an attractive multicoloured 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲-𝐨𝐟-𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐫.
Measuring approximately 𝟗.𝟎 × 𝟕.𝟎 × 𝟑.𝟔 𝐦𝐦, the gemstone displays a predominantly white body appearance with a distinct yellowish-white to slightly orangey-yellow division along part of the stone. This variation gives the opal two subtly different visual sides and contributes to its individual character.
As the gemstone is moved under changing light and viewing angles, flashes of 𝐫𝐞𝐝, 𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞, 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧, 𝐲𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰, 𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐥𝐮𝐞 can become visible. The distribution and intensity of these spectral colours change with movement, creating the characteristic dynamic appearance associated with precious Opal.
Unlike ordinary body colour, this 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲-𝐨𝐟-𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐫 is a structural optical phenomenon. It results from the interaction of light with sufficiently ordered microscopic silica spheres within the opal, which separate visible light into different spectral colours according to viewing angle and internal structure.
The stone has a 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, with particularly attractive multicoloured flashes visible from different orientations. The contrasting yellowish-white section adds further variation to the otherwise white crystal-opal appearance.
The polish is assessed as 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝, producing an attractive surface luster. The cutting quality is 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐫, with fair to good oval symmetry. Although the proportions and symmetry are not of precision-cut quality, the faceting allows the stone to display its internal colour effects effectively when viewed in motion.
Opal is an 𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐡𝐲𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚 material rather than a crystalline mineral. Precious Opal is distinguished by the presence of play-of-colour, while transparent to highly translucent material displaying this phenomenon is commonly described in the gem trade as Crystal Opal.
The recorded origin of this specimen is 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐚, an important modern source of precious Opal.
There are 𝐧𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 and 𝐧𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 for this gemstone.
With its transparent crystal-opal appearance, broad range of spectral flashes and contrasting yellowish-white colour section, this 0.67 ct Ethiopian Opal offers a lively and continuously changing visual presentation when observed from different angles.
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