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Hello, tbh - I'm not sure. I've never heard of anyone doing it before. I have seen them dyed though.

I recommend only purchasing a precise parcel where you see video of each stone beforehand. Typically opal is sold by the kilo. There are many reputable dealers but you can start with Mine to Market or Seven Resources

Good point. I've just finished filming a guide to Indonesian opals and only used fixed tripod 😁

Absolutely 👍

Hello, you can find this piece on our website www.luxuryopalseurope.eu

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I agree, I don't like it either. Unfortunately it is the standard way of referring to this material (especially by Ethiopian exporters). I always try to mention that it is in fact 'young opal' but people really cannot understand that. Would be great to have a solid term which is recognisable to the current market.

Thank you, that is a great compliment.

5.5 - 6.5

Hey LươngHàDương. The non-hydrophane Ethopian opal (Crystal, Mezzo/Shewa) must be kept wet at all times or it will start crazing like inside of an hour. It will craze from the outside in as it continues to dry out. If left exposed to the air the crazing will eventually travel right through the stone and then simply fall to pieces if ever dropped or struck. Welo opal (hydrophane) is highly stable once cut and polished, even more stable than a cut and polished Australian opal (in my experience). I've cut and polished about 100 Welo opal gemstones in the last few years and to date not one of them has cracked. I've cut and polished about 20 Australian opals and to date about 80% have developed cracks, rendering them worthless. The cracks in the 300 CT Welo chunk will travel quite quickly through your stone once wet due to water absorption via micro pores. Cutting Welo on a wet wheel can split your stone in half if you're not careful. If you cut quick enough though on a wet wheel, you can grind them out, get ahead of them and halt the splitting process. If your finished Welo opal gemstone is free of all cracks and/or inclusions it will likely never crack or split if ever accidently wetted or submerged in water. I've sometimes jumped in the shower or washed the dishes, forgetting to take off my opal ring or pendant beforehand and never once had an issue while they dried out over the next day or two. Some cutters may suggest you cut Welo opal on a dry cutting wheel to minimize cracking/splitting from water absorption, but this is ill advised and a very dangerous practice. All opal is made of hydrated silica and accidently inhaling silica dust can lead to a progressive, debilitating and possibly fatal lung disease called Silicosis. Never cut any type of opal dry, even if you're masked up. It's just not worth the risk. Simply buy your rough Welo with minimal cracks/inclusions. I hope that helps. Apologies for the long winded reply, but I didn't want to leave any stone unturned. All the best mate and happy cutting everyone!

im assuming if 80% of the aussie material youre cutting is crazing then youre buying from dishonest sellers and most likely coober pedy material. coober pedy despite being the opal capital of the world has high rates of crazing in its opal from some fields that some miners will still sell. if you buy stuff from white cliffs or andamooka, mintabie or lightning ridge this opal tends to be much more stable, especially andamooka, andamooka opal is extremely stable, the most stable on earth probably

Hello, I don't find any crazing in hydrophane opal. I do deal with fractures (some of which are clear in this video). However with the young opal which dealers refer to as crystal (must be kept wet), the rate of crazing is immense. Within a few hours of cutting the crazing will begin and slowly increase until the whole stone is ruined within 3 days. Best to immediately sand away any crazing as soon as it occurs to stop the process.

The price is dependant on the size, pattern, color and any defects in the stone.

I can supply them to you brother

Yes it will. You won't notice any variation in size but weight will decrease by 10-15%. In rare cases some hydrophane can shrink by up to 25%. So my advice is to never buy opals wet.

Hello, thank you. I hope to work my way up to it. I have some big chunks well over 100 carat I'd like to begin with.

I agree but a little, it's to bright behind it. If it was darker behind the stone instead of white and not that bright light then I imagine it would help to see the colours in the Stone better...I love the crystal opals SO much and this is a beauty!! Absolutely amazing!!