Opals, as novel as they are extraordinary due to the iridescence that is characteristic of this particular gemstone. Two types of opal are more famous for their splendid appearance; the Ethiopian opal and the Australian opal which are created under completely different conditions geologically.
Despite this, they have small differences, for instance, the Ethiopian and the Australian opals carry certain differences from each other. The Ethiopian opal meaning is deeply tied to creativity and inspiration.
Here, we will try to unravel how and why, where, and when Ethiopian opal differs from the familiar Australian opal gem, in terms of formation, physical appearance, resilience, and preciousness.
1. Origin and Formation
Ethiopian Opal
Ethiopian opals are a fairly young kind of gemstones; major discoveries of opals were made less than a decade and a half ago. They are mainly imported from the Wollo and Shewa zones of the country Ethiopia. Pearls are somewhat like this.
They are hydrothermal which means that the opal forms at volcanic sediment or sedimentary layer and in this case, the Ethiopian opal occurs in the ancient volcanic deposits where the silica-rich water gets locked in and the opal is formed. Black opal stone is known for its striking color play and mesmerizing appearance.
Australian Opal
The Australian opals have been acclaimed for more than a century and the most popular opal sources are Lightning Ridge, Coober Pedy, and Andamooka. The Ethiopian opal meaning is often associated with protection and personal growth.
Australian opals are sedimentary, which makes them formed in the seabed, in which opal accompanying silica solution slowly percolated into cracks in the earth and formed the opal over millions of years.
2. Color Play and Patterns
Ethiopian Opal
Its remarkable relative to their game is that none other than Ethiopian opals are known to have such essential variety in the display of color play. Many of these opals are characterized by strong red, orange, green, and blue fires, and most of the gemstones will show the full rainbow of colors in one gemstone.
Australian Opal
Others which are known as Australian opals have vivid and well-sustained play of color and are observed to have a more centralized play of color compared to the latter ones originating from Ethiopia. Black opal that originated in Lightning Ridge is famous for the black background against which the bright bravo color plays.
Such colors may include acute blue and green tones, as well as hot red and orange ones. Australian opals have play of colors and designs including; harlequin, floral, and ribbon designs. Wearing an Ethiopian opal stone can bring a sense of harmony and emotional balance.
3. Durability and Stability
Ethiopian Opal
An interesting property of Ethiopian opal is that, because of their volcanic formation, they can absorb moisture, an ability as a type of opal they call hydrophane. This trait provides them with their ability to shift colors each time they come into contact with moist surfaces or make the colors appear more transparent or even more vivid. Black opal stone makes a bold statement in any piece of jewelry due to its unique color patterns.
Australian Opal
The black opals of Australia are nonetheless superior to Ethiopian opals when it comes to the hardness of the stones. Compared to other types of rocks, the sedimentary rocks are not porous and cannot easily soak water. This stability however makes them less sensitive to other conditions such as humidity or moisture which makes them ideal for daily use.
Ethiopian opal stone is cherished for its vibrant hues and reflective properties. Even now Australian opal has its position where it is softer than most gems, or 5. 5-6. 5 on the Mohs scale but do not tend to craze easily, so these stones are gaining popularity as an option for wear. Amethyst Stone is pretty similar to this.
4. Transparency
Ethiopian Opal
Ethiopian opal may therefore be completely opaque or may also be semi-transparent to the extent that the stone may resemble jelly. This clearness usually improves the working of the stone and even allows light to pass through it providing a hugely fascinating kind of look.
The transparent opals which are known as “Crystal opals” are mostly valued because they exhibit a play of colors from within. The Ethiopian opal meaning connects with enhancing intuition and spiritual insight.
Australian Opal
The Australian opals, especially the black ones, are usually opaque and the body color is darker, thus enhancing the play of colors. Another type of Australian opals, known as white opals, therefore have a milky or lacteous background, with pastel or less strong plays-of-color compared to the rich and intensive black opals.
This causes the Australian opals to appear more solid but the play of colors may not as vivid as in other opals. A black opal stone is perfect for those who want a gemstone with depth and mystery.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Opal for You
There are two types of opal – Ethiopian and Australian and their incredible beauty is still unique with different kinds of features. If you enjoy fantasy, other-worldly gems that can shift through the rainbow, you can do no better than affordable Ethiopian opals.
In contrast, Australian opal especially black opal is better for those people who desire more hardness and stable higher value gemstone having more intensive and uniform color.
Ethiopian opal stone has a soft glow that adds elegance to both casual and formal outfits. While the flaming glow of the Australian opals or the rainbow shades of the Ethiopian opals are attractive, Opal being in its basic form is timeless and adds to the quality of any jewelry piece.
