OPAL: Australian vs. Ethiopian ??
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 ก.ค. 2024
- The comparison of Australian and Ethiopian opal is probably one of the most contentious subjects in the world of opal. In this video, I present what I believe to be a relatively accurate comparison of the two opal types. You will likely disagree with some or all of my statements! That is your right ... and perhaps your obligation. My goal is to help people understand the differences so that they can make informed decisions when buying (or selling) opal.
As a gemmologist and opals lover, I agree with you 100% ... No need war, different materials, different places but, the same love for opals and gemstones from wherever they come ...
If only Ethiopian opal wasn't prone to cracking
All opal is subject to cracking. Actually hydrophane welo opal it's pretty damn stable if it's handled properly. If you buy an Ethiopian Stone that's cut and not cracked you can be pretty sure it's not going to crack in your lifetime. Some Australian stones will get surface crazing over time. I love both
I am from Ethiopia 🇪🇹..I have a good if u want contact me....251912333104
You and Justin are how I get my opal fix. Loooove yalls channels👍🏻
So glad you uploaded always have a good time watching another opal enthusiast talk about the lovely stone especially with your great editing
You continue to surprise me with your wit and unique visitors.thanks
this channel is wonderful !! thanks for sharing your knowledge with all of us and for your fantastic sense of humor
Interesting, enjoyed the topic and your usual sense of humor...the opal cracking looks like fun and somehow satisfying to do ;-)
Wow, so much great info. I just can't keep saying how happy I am I found this channel. Thank you!
Makes me feel even better about my opal ring 😅 I found you by looking for information about opals after I bought it
Lots of interesting info! Just love seeing how amazingly beautiful your work is! Wish I could afford any of it...humor great as always!
You can afford top Ethiopian opal rough. You can grind High domed stones that reveal the most intense Beauty. Not worth 30000 bucks but amazingly beautiful.
Beautiful! Thank you for showing us your collection.
I love how much passion you put in these vids
@@PulitzerOpal I think sometimes it is.
@@PulitzerOpal You have to be the funniest guy on TH-cam talking about Opal right now. I love your videos and I love your sense of humor about opals. I haven't had the best luck finding good opal to cut and find that a lot of people who are selling on eBay and places like that are not always trustworthy. I've lost a bit of money with a few of the sellers. One of the things that comes across in your videos is how genuine and authentic you are and I really appreciate that. I'm a fan. Lol.. of opal and your channel. 💙
@@PulitzerOpal I really appreciate the list...More than you know. If I were to add up the money I've lost...whew! I try not to think about it as I know opal is always a gamble...and I'm an optimist so my love of opal always overrides my disappointment So..I venture on. I am excited to check out some of the names that you've given me as you always have such beautiful material. I did recently place my first order for Boulder Opal..with a supplier in QLD Australia. Perhaps you've heard of him...Nick Hoops? Still waiting.. with a bit of dread and a lot of anticipation..for this first parcel to arrive. I am planning to go to Tucson this next February so thank you so much for that heads up on WHEN to get there. That is helpful since it is my tendency to go later...not fond of big crowds and I WILL tell them that you sent me...Lol. By the way I am also a huge fan of the elegant design in your jewelry. I'll message you on FB with some photos of the material from Nick Hoops...super nice guy and came with stand up references.💙
@@PulitzerOpal thanks for letting me know. I did send you a message on Facebook but how would I contact you through email Is it in your link?
@@PulitzerOpal new myself to the world of boulder opal but thought I'd have a go to see what all the fuss us about. I have heard it's messy. I'll look for your email to see if it's listed somewhere on Facebook and message you for a few more details about Tucson. Thanks again and I'll be in touch
As always, thanks for sharing your work and experience.
That cracking is just killing me, I would be throwing crap across the room work bench and tipping table's. Well as they say, if it was easy everyone would be doing it...
Thanks again!
Funny and entertaining video. I didn't even know about opal crack! You put a lot of work into the editing. Great job!
Always a pleasure to see your videos ! Tell it like it is and let the chips fall wherever.
That's awesome. I really love your channel and all your wisdom about this simply beautiful gemstone...needless to say I want some.
What is the best way to take care of opals?I don't know much about different kinds, but I have a blue fire opal pendant (I think that's what it's called) that was my great x4 Nonna's. For being so old It's in good condition. It's about the size of a 50 cent euro. I heard they Crack and dry out, is there a way to prevent that?
First time here ! Loved this video ! Subscribed 👊🏼
I love how you present this!
Another great video. I love both opals and collect them.
@@PulitzerOpal I am located in Ethiopia and have access to the opals do you still collect them. If you do please reach me via jwmaina762@gmail.com
Have you ever created a nice cab out of bolder opal? If you had a piece with a large enough amount of "clean" opal, is there any reason not to? Bolder seems to have some very bright color
Very interesting vídeo as always!😃
Just enjoy your opals folks, love em all!!!!
I've been opal craze for over 50 years and I want to say THANK YOU X 1000! for your precise explanation!
@@PulitzerOpal I've been so fascinated about how you treat, cut and polish opals watching many of your uploaded videos for the whole day today (I just fond you today and subscribed)! Thank you so much! I wish I lived near you so that I could learn how to cut and polish them. I'm just an opal corrector
This presentation was captivating; especially loved the jitter effect for "cracking" (7:10) and "cracks" (7:45)!
I was not aware of such a war. Thank you for this video essay.
Very, very interesting. Thank you very much for the overview.
Tip top information and love your intro.
Pulitzer Opal, what good sources of Ethiopian opal do you recommend? I, for one, think the water absorption is fascinating.
You've cut some amazing pieces my friend!!! Seriously tho my grandfather has a preserved piece of tree from Idaho (50lbs) it's full of opal amazing reds and greens he's never going to part with it but man it beautiful!
50lbs of opalized wood? Dude.... You should share a picture so we can see it 😊
@@DeIicateFynn ill send a picture to Pulitzer. don't get too excited it is a fairly large piece of wood but the opal is only formed in the cracks one one side.
@@13mjunky Thanks. That would be cool to see. I've learned so much about opal on this channel. It's my favorite, and it's my birthstone! 😊
@Don X hopefully he will because he won't let me take pictures of it XD naturally
Wherewill mahtajutakeyou , I live in Boise, Idaho. I'm about 45 minutes away from an opal mine where you can pick small ones up off the ground. I'm a glass artist, and since their beauty shows best in the natural fracture planes I avoid the whole cracking issue by enclosing them as is in glass for jewelry. A dear friend who has since passed away gave me a chunk of not-quite-petrified wood that is just riddled with tiny rice shaped opals that formed in the wood grain, too fragile to remove until I figured out that soaking pieces will eventually dissolve away the wood and leave a little pile of fiery opal grains behind. They're way too small and delicate to mount in any conventional fashion, but are just fine for how I do with them. Opal in any form is amazing!
Wow. I loved the crazy Ethiopian opal you showed. It had so many patterns and colors, how could it possibly be any less valuable than any other. I am not a gemologist, just a fan of opals, but I would think that it would be the beauty of each particular opal that set the price and the origin would be just an interesting fact. Kind of like people.
Elliot Lambert dickhead alert
@ismail adam as a gemologist, I can say you are wrong. Scarcity is obviously the biggest factor here.
@ismail adam marketing does have a lot to do with it. But not as much with opal. Different market. Massive generalization
@ismail adam you gave an example about emeralds. Not quite the same thing as opal. There are multiple factors here and you're trying to simplify it to marketing being the ONLY one. And I'm saying yes, in a lot of cases I'd agree that it has a huge factor, i.e. diamonds, but in this case, opals from Ethiopia are marketed more heavily and still are less expensive. As I understand from the opal experts i.e. pulitzeropal, this is because of higher volume and availability in Ethiopia.
Also--no one has mentioned ease of extraction and how much cheaper the labor is there. This most likely plays a huge role too.
@ismail adam you're talking and circles and getting emotional, and I don't care enough to engage. Have fun.
Don’t know if you’re going to have a video out before Christmas, or if you’ll even see this. But Merry Christmas to you and your family!!!
Can you treat ethiopian milky opal like you do with Australian opal ? Will it turn to black opal like Australian opal ?
I am a fan of Ethiopian Opal I have to admit but Australian Opal is beautiful also. I like Ethiopian Opal because it has a great colour play and is tougher. However I think Opal is one of the most amazing gem so whatever you like remember to appreciate the gem wherever it comes from.
Man I love watching your videos
Dear mr. Opal man, could I please introduce to you an idea for the naming of opals? Since I know Napoleon named his famed one "The Burning of Troy", I likewise called my 55 ct Ethiopian black opal after another famous fire: "The Great Fire of London". This seemed unsuitable for my Australian white opal (set in a brooch, so weight unknown) - I named it "Storm of the Century" after the famous 1990's snowstorm.
Also, I tried looking for your website but "pulitzeropal.com" has, according to Firefox, lost its security certificate. Can anything be done about this?
I would watch any kind of video you could make. I'd love to take a tour that you were the guide of. Very illustrative commentary.
@@PulitzerOpal What would that be?
You crack me up. Make me miss my dad something awful; he shared your sense of humor.
Cracks are a fact uf life, that rease has Dr, Opal
I’m so excited you put out a new video! I’ve cleared the room!
I actually wonder about the ethics involved with mining practices in Ethiopia? I suppose there could be questions in any country in regard to mining practices but I know that certain countries are less focused on fair wages and human rights…
Pulitzer Opal thank you. I appreciate your thoughtful and thorough response. Unfortunately I am aware of poor conditions involved with darn near every industry in third world countries...blood diamonds are far from the only injustice. As a kid I was in Brazil a fair deal and we acquired tons of large LARGE agates and then my mom stopped it after finding out how they were obtained. I think that’s why I like petosky stones and jasper...things I can scrounge up myself.
I’ll watch BOTH of those because information isn’t ever superfluous. On a lighter note, the Ethiopian opal with the honeycomb pattern is truly stunning! Thank you again for another goodie 🙏🏻
Pulitzer Opal NOOOOO! You’re simply beguiled and who can blame you? I’ll be honest, I’ve set aside ethics when I saw some sparkly things I had to have 😞
Figured don’t ask don’t tell, what I don’t know won’t hurt me. If I’m on the fence I’ll find out about sourcing, if I just really want a thing I go for it. Hypocrisy at its finest.
Considering the fact you know your dealers I’m guessing that your buddies from down under are decent folk? You’re decent and water seeks its own level. I’ll be honest, it wasn’t my first thought, I was also mesmerized by their beauty. As I googled costs etc I quickly juxtaposed opulence and famine incidentally because an image of a child with a distended, fly covered abdomen popped up in my image search, “Ethiopia” will always elicit results tied to that...it struck me at that point and was the impetus behind the question.
An educated consumer can help shift the market by demanding fair treatment, I guess we have to be willing to put our money where our mouths are and pay for the same stones even as the price goes up so long as it’s attributed to safety measures and fair wages.
Pulitzer Opal overly optimistic, not the first time I’ve been accused of that :(
WISH in one hand and...💩 in the other, see which one fills up first. That’s a family mantra when I’m being referenced 😞
I really do appreciate all the facts you’ve got at the ready! That’s a GIANT brain up there!
😉
I looked in my almanac and was shocked at the per capita then remembered a brief visit (2 day layover) to Ethiopia and felt shock i was shocked.
I’m grateful you’ve got customers who prefer Australian and now this is something new to consider going forward in case someone asks 🤷🏻♀️ right?
As to buddy the button, I wear it every day, careful with perfumes since he’s right up on my neck 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
I’m working on my thank you gift. It’s piece meal, and I scaled it down. Things are always better in miniature!!
I get a lot of compliments actually, usually someone carefully says “I’m sorry to ask but what is that??” I don’t say anything rather shove it out and every single time I get either a laugh or smile and a compliment. I immediately say how it came to be and direct them to your channel, I also let them know you do custom work.
Then I hear “but opal is so expensive” and I remind them that they can always choose Ethiopian 😂
I AM KIDDING!
I love it, so much I’ve failed to set it properly and it’s really just dangling, secure but rigged up.
i love all your videos! thank u for sharing 🙏❤️👍🌹🌷😉😎🙏
Thank you. Great information!
does justin have a video on the honeycomb patterned opal he cut ??
@@PulitzerOpal i tried looking a few months ago but i couldn’t find it on his page ! if anybody knows the video i would love to see it
That's a lot of info in this video.. thanks mate
Great video and very informative. The blingy nails were great too🤣🤣
@@PulitzerOpal oh lord yes!
Where to buy jewelleries that use Australian opal?
I bought an “opal” ring at an auction last summer.
I took it to my local jeweler but they couldn’t tell me if it was dug up by an Aussie or hatched in Poindexter’s lab.
What gives with the head scratching baubles seller?
Is there a test?
I would love an A+ but settle for a D-.
What say you oh wise one?
Pulitzer Opal
Thank you
I will ASAP
Hello nice video, I have a question for you... after 3 years would you say the supply of australian opal is still going down and increasing in price or not?
@@PulitzerOpal Thanks for the answer. I find myself having a lot of trouble getting a hold of any rough material that hasnt been cut and picked over a million times, off the internet. Well, without making a huge investment. but god damn am I hooked, this is worse than poker or owning a boat. screw you and the other bald guy who tricked me into loving this hobby
I just bought an opal...and i dont know is it Australian opal or Euthopian opal... Thanks for the tips...
Help ! One of my australian opals is loosing some sparkle. It's a flat cabochon clear opal, resting on a black "velvet" topped sponge in a little display box.
What to do ? 😟
@@PulitzerOpal
Thanks for answering !
I don't know if my opal is treated. I've had it for some 20+ years.
(Bought at an annual stone and mineral fair, here in Norway, and kept in the dark of a jewellery box. Where I store my opals and other gemstones I've collected over the past 30 odd years).
I just notized a fine hairline crack across the middle of the problem stone, and one half seems dryer and more faded than the other.
I'll soak the stone in spring water or oil, and keep it there for the future. It's not a great financial loss if the stone doesn't "recover",
but still quite annoying.
None of my other opals are thankfully suffering, it seems.
They are white, black and clear aussies, a handful of Welos, and some red cousins from Mexico.
@@PulitzerOpal
Thanks again for taking time to help! 🤗
I''ve stored australian opals in water before. And the containers (plastic pill boxes) did loose water over time. Refilling them felt a bit like gardening, and I started envying my brother, who collects coins and stamps...
I guess I could store the opals in oil. But what sort of oil ?
I don't want them to smell like stale olives.
My Welo opals seem ok with dry storing. Even the odd one, being yellow, and two tea brown ones, with funny red, blue and purple flashes.
My 3 mexican opals also seem to prefer being kept "high and dry", so I'm a little hesitant about bathing them. They are very different from my other opals too, being glass clear and lovely "cherry red".
Until I bought them I hadn't even heard about mexican opal, but I love red in opals, so it was too good an oportunity to miss.
(Those guys cost a bomb, so I had to live on tinned tuna for some time, but there's no regrets). 😊
@@PulitzerOpal
I'll give it a go ! With all the australian non set opals.
I might give my large white pendant an oil "belly rub" now and then too.
As for the problem stone, I think I'll just write it off as part of the learning curve... 😞
I've had it for a long time, and I guess I better focus on finding a top quality stone this year.
At least I know better what to look for now, after learning from the pro's videos ! ☺
Love from Norway !
I think the clear Opals are really the valuable ones. The beautiful ring one is wonderful!
Diane M.
I have a opal video, i buy it from a online person, can u pls tell mee that its ethopian/australian, pls help he say thats australian
wow my country ethiopia blessed !
Very Interesting !! Never heard of Ethiopian Opal. Always find your videos a learning adventure !! :)
most call it welo opal
@@PulitzerOpal : I agree. What is very interesting to some, others find boring. Where ever I go I always look at the rocks around me, some think I'm strange, others just know thats part of who I am. Boring... Right ? :)
Thank you, I love your history lessons.😁😁
I have a small opal collection and purchased an Ethiopian chocolate opal nut. About a centimeter long x 30 mm. Every color in the rainbow but when I examined it with a loop long after I bought it I see several cracks thus making it only a collection curiosity instead of a pendant. I also have a couple of pieces of Indonesian opal and wonder how you value it compared to Australian opal?
I'm just a small collector but would approve of your being more ecstatic about Australian opal.
Great video... love your humor
Wow, very informative. Thank you sir
What do you think about Indonesian opal
Great video, very interesting to see such an in depth, and unbiased review, of both of these beautiful types of opals. Thank you for doing this! Have you had any experience with the new deposit of naturally black opal from Ethiopia? Would be very interested to see the comparison with black Australian opals.
@@PulitzerOpal Very interested to see how you go, hopefully it works out better this time around. I've only managed to cut a few of the stayish pieces and have them not fall apart, that said the ones that survived, the patterns are very nice.
Always interesting 👍
thankyou ,u are an expert in your fielď
Very educational and interesting.
+1 like from me!
Could you suggest any read - books or online on opal?
How to buy small opal raw?
Hello i love My opalos from Australia i'm have a litle collecion fire mexican opalos and a few etiopian good vídeo My feavorite black australian opals
Why is the reason Australian opal is sow expensive (In Australia at the source,) but if you purchased the same parcel at a different country our site it’s way cheaper it makes no sense at all,that’s the reason I stick to Ethiopian opal I learns my lesson I went to Australia to buy never again
You are very nice narrator.
Great information yet again
I hope Ethiopian kicks the butt out of our opals. It’s insanely overpriced
sir i wanna buy opal. but i am in confusion that which should i buy? Either ethiopian or Australian?
@@PulitzerOpal sir i want Australian white opal.. Do you have to sale??
Pulitzer Opal h
@@usmanfarooq857 look up Mark-the blacklighters on Facebook.. his auctions are fair and just. But keep in mind. It's not easy to make an assessment on opal if you don't know what you are looking for.. I would recommend watching dons videos over and over and over.. to even understand what he's trying to tell you.. opal is a skill.. that takes a long time to get an eye for.. years
But what are the blingy nails worth? Great video. I'm a fan of all quality opal regardless of the origin. Mexican stuff would be at the lower end and Australian at the highest. I've been lucky with Ethiopian opal. Started buying before the boom. Thank you again for sharing your views on a contentious subject with knowledge, humor, your own style. 👍
I didn't really understand the message...but I'd still kinda like to shoot the Messenger. Is that weird, or does everyone kind of have that vibe? Actually, I thought the part about absorbance really interesting. But, I'm a bit weird - so there's that.
I really liked that first yellow one!
Sign.. I had a huge Australian white opal ring for a while. I love it so much and wears it everyday and everywhere. It was my first opal and the only way I can describe it is that it was magical! After a while, the opal started getting loose from the setting. One day, I was shopping for groceries (and of course I wore that ring) and I noticed that my finger felt less heavy. I looked at it and the opal was gone from the basket setting! I panicked and looked everywhere but couldn't find it. I felt like I lost a part of myself that day. When I got home, I give all my jewelry away.
After a while, I got another ring with a beautiful Australian crystal opal, but after a few months, a crazed line inside the opal appeared. I know crazing can render an opal worthless. After that, I stop buying opal because the chances of them crazing is quite high. I am not going to spend that much money on something that has such a high chance of becoming worthless.
@@PulitzerOpal
هل يتغير لونه لدي اوبال تغير لونه من الاخضر الى الاصفر الشفاف ماهي المشكله وانا شاكرا لك
@@PulitzerOpal هلوو
لكنه فقد جاذبيته وجماله يعني هل هو على مايرام
I like your rather balanced view. And your pieces for the video are amazing.
About the investment part however, Ethiopian opal has only been 10-15 years in the market. All the pieces cannot be called heirlooms yet and look forward to what the future holds.
@@PulitzerOpal yes we have heard of the early diamond trader's reaction to au Black opals. And we are getting the same salty reaction from the AU guys now. Its understandable when something overwhelms the market like that.
Red and blue. Is sharp.. Turned out nice .
Yeah!! My Ethiopian opals I worked on did become translucent I thought that was like magic!! Even my friends thought that was awsome and magical! I even transformed one of my rough opals in a tear drop that way when it's totally wet it really looks like a big solid drop of water everyone who saw it was in awe. Thanks so much for this video! I'm not partial at all but knowing that Australia opals are more valuable with time I might look into that! 😉😊 Oh and I looooove that big orange cat!! 😍
@@PulitzerOpal that is so sad! 😖
😂🤣😂 duuuuuuuude! 6:49! I actually laughed out loud! I mean really LOL’d! And I never type that!
Honestly man. Gotta say I just love your videos. There’s reasons only others who get excited when they see them pop up in their feed would understand. But man o man, by far one of the coolest videos on opal that I have seen. I love what you do mate. So informative and genuinely entertaining. Just wish I lived closer to the opal fields... but don’t we all.
I would love to buy some opal from you the jewelry is amazing that you showed
you are completely correct
I would agree with you
Both opals are beautiful
Some of the Ethiopian welo
With honeycomb pattern is stunning - I have a few raw stones to make cabs soon (5 months to retirement )
I bought opal. Grind the jewels. And discolored. The glow disappeared. What should I do? This is Opal, Ethiopia.
let it dry for a few days, it will come back
Why does Ethiopian Opal need to be stored "dry"? Thanks!
Because Ethiopian opal is a hydrophone opal (which means it absorbs on contact with water and oils on your skin), so to avoid discoloring your opal it's best to keep it in a clean dry place.
STUNNING....ALL OF IT!
Y is Ethiopia opal so much cheaper does not seem far there just as nice looking??
Can you show us Hungarian opal vs Australian opal?
The kangaroo boxing was my favorite part! 😜
That was a wonderful video!!!! I like them all. I have Australian bolder, Etheopian wello and regular, Mexican Jelly and fire. Pink Peruvian. I need some Slovakian!!!! I've never even heard of it 😍
@@PulitzerOpal You don't!!! Then I don't hear a chance :'(
@@PulitzerOpal I actually have some family that I've never met in Slovakia, and Croatia, that I've never met. I think it might be time to get in touch 😎
@@PulitzerOpal I have some Slovakian opal but only very small chips :(
- it is hard to get any good size SOLID rough for cutting - only bigger pieces are thin seams on host rock ( similar to some AU boulder opals ) and most are only good as specimens because it craze a lot. but I'm sure that in the pass there was some good quality stuff there :)
KITTY!!!!!!!!!! I miss having a cat, nothing is better than curling up with a cat that's content and purring.
I put damp cotton wool long term with a nice Australian opal ring, having read somewhere it was a good idea.
It was not. Something of the opals lively reflection was lost.
@@PulitzerOpal No, it was bought from antique guy years ago and it is a full opal.
I guess the best way to respect an opal is to leave it snug in its box and wear it with loving care.
By the way the guy told me he had repolished it but I don't know if that was factor.
THANK YOU FOR SHOWING THIS! I've been carving some welo and wondering what was happening.
Just wondering what are your thoughts on Spencer Idaho opal?😁
Jason Summit , I love spencer material, when it’s large enough to cut a good stone.
I know you didn’t ask me, but there’s my opinion anyway.
Im Aussie and I am enjoying buying Ethipian opal. Its cheaper and I can cab to my hearts content. For starters they are different composition. Australian high quality black is getting rarer. A lot of the stuff coming out is not quality (a lot still is). Bang for buck I think Ethiopian is better, however at the top of the range I think Aussie black opal is at the top.... but that top spectrum is very small. Edit: That said there is a chance that I am yet to see the best opal Ethipia has to offer and yet the best I have seen is exceptionally good. Great video. Love your nails.
Would you be interested in seeing some rare opal from British Columbia?
Not from okanagan opal.
It's a secret deposit. Some hydrophane but most is stable
Awesome video!
I liked the ones with the violet cast.
You sir are one cool dude 👌
I like your voice man
I have both kinds and love them. They each have their own beauty. But for top top grade opal, Aussie has the most vivid saturated colour imo. I wish I had bought more years ago. I dislike yellow or brown Welo opal intensely!Just personal preference I guess. Also beware of opals that are 'smoked' to that colour...
@@PulitzerOpal i love the yellow one...
Big, dumb, drooling, goofy-ass orange male cats are the best kind of cats.
@@PulitzerOpal - Well, there are variations -- but that general sort of noisy, extra-gregarious orange male.
Maybe mine wasn't really that dumb, he just got dumb looks on his face all the time ... particularly when he would lay on his back and invite my Airedale terrier mutt go up and down his belly, like a dog goes for fleas with its incisors, as if chomping corn on the cob, making snorty schnorfelling noises.
Cat would purr and coo and chirp, and drool prodigiously, with not a trace of normal feline haughtiness, or any shame. :-)
The orange coat and talkative gregariousness genes seem to be somehow endogenously linked in those males, so that one trait comes along for the ride with the other. It's a definite type.
I shall look him up.
Can you get the smoke back out of an Ethiopian opal?
I read that an ethiopian opal can survive a drop from 4 feet, I guess that would be something to consider if you accidently dropped one of your ethiopian opal earrings after taking them out. Right now ethiopian opals are cheap because the mine is producing so much gem quality material, I think right now is the time to buy because I have a feeling that one day the price will sky rocket when the mine dries up