Ethiopian Opal Glossary
Bubbles*
Used to describe many tiny phantoms inside of an opal, resembling static bubbles
Column Fire
A pattern on opals where the flash appears in a row of columns
Confetti Flash
A specific flash pattern of medium sized bits of flash that resemble confetti on the surface of the opal.
Contra Luz
Spanish phrase meaning “against light,” used to describe opals that change in color when light hits the back of the stone
Craze
When a specimen opal dehydrates, it can crack or craze. Crazing looks like a network of multiple crack lines, almost like a spiderweb
Dendrite
Crystalline structures resembling tree branches or a snowflake that can form as inclusions inside opals. Black is the most common, but colors depend on the mineral makeup of the dendrite.
Fire Opal
Any opal with a vibrant red, orange, or yellow base
Flash
An opal term used to describe the flashes of color an opal displays when light enters it. Also called “play of color”
Honeycomb
A pattern on opals resembling a honeycomb
Hydrophane
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The property
Inclusion
An inclusion is a broad term used to describe the different materials and minerals that can be found inside an opal. Example include dendrites, phantoms, roots, and even fossils
Jewelry Grade Opal
Jewelry Grade Opal is older and more stable than Specimen Opals, so they should be kept dry. This is the opal you want to set into any wearable jewelry!
Matrix
The host rock opals are found in. Usually brown or gray
Milky Opal
Used to describe opals with a semi-opaque white base
Nugget*
A rounded opal with a rough exterior and very little matrix
Parcel
A collection or bundle of multiple opals
Phantom
A phantom is an older opal trapped inside another opal.
Pinfire
A type of flash that appears as tiny pinpoints of color
Plume
A pattern on the surface of the opal that resembles a leaf or fern imprint
Potch
Opal that lacks any flash. Also called Common Opal
Specimen Opals
Opals were born of water and silica and some need to stay in their natural element. Specimens are for all the collectors out there that love to display their Opals but don't need to wear them. These opals need to stay hydrated in water, dehydration can result in damage to these opals.
Stayish Opals
Stayish Opals were discovered in 2013 and are in-between jewelry and specimen grade opals. They are extremely rare and are the darkest black opals found in Ethiopia. Stayish opals need to be kept dry like jewelry grade but they're quite fragile, so cutting/polishing is generally not recommended.
Wello
The specific region Ethiopian opals are found in
*Denotes an opal term created by Opal Trove