Even before opals were mined and worked for their beauty, ancient Ethiopians used them to create tools. In the intervening eras, the world turned to Australia, parts of Europe, Mexico, and the United States for these precious stones. But, in the early 1990’s Ethiopian opals were rediscovered, and are now considered some of the most precious in the gem world.
Throughout antiquity, opals have been prized for their kaleidoscopic play of colors. Ethiopian opals add an almost three-dimensional play of light, giving the stones the illusion of containing live flames. They can even display a beautiful, complex, and very rare honeycomb pattern. They are one of the few amorphous stones, meaning they don’t have a crystalline structure. Instead, a gel consisting of tiny silica spheres suspended in water seeps into cracks in host rocks and solidifies over time, trapping remaining water between the spheres. The spaces between the spheres also diffract white light and cause the play of color in an opal. The larger the spaces, the greater the variety and intensity of the colors.
Ancient Romans thought these fiery stones brought exceptional luck, while the Greeks believed they brought the gift of prophecy. With their vivid colors and unique patterns, Ethiopian opals are excellent for psychic development. They boost creativity, release fear, and help with decision making. Highly protective, these stones are best placed anywhere in need of a more positive environment.