STONE: Hydrophane Contra Luz Opal
WEIGHT: 2.77 cts.
CUT: Round Brilliant
DIMENSIONS: 10.43 mm
ORIGIN: Ethiopia
COLOR: White Base with Yellow Flash and Multicolor Fire
CLARITY: Transparent to Translucent
CUT BY: Cindi
PRICE: $277
ITEM# op1251
COMMENTS: This Ethiopian opal shows fire both under normal
viewing and when backlit. For some reason, the fire in this
one was very difficult to photograph and is notably more intense in
person.
Hydrophane opals are a very pourous opal and if soaked in water will
turn almost completely clear. When removed from water, they turn
opaque white. After about a week of sitting out of water, they
become translucent and their play of color is at its best.
Because they soak up water so easily, they are better suited to use in
pendants or earrings than as ring stones where they can be
saturate when you wash your hands, etc.
This material is being sold on T.V. as cabs for $400+ per carat
without disclosure of exact origin or that they are hydrophane opals.
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