Rough opal is opal as it comes out of the ground or the agitation process (washing and tumbling). It has not been touched by lapidary equipment. Rough opal may be of seam or nobby form; it may be black, grey or crystal; it may contain variable amounts of gem colour amongst the natural clay stone, sandstone and common opal or potch.
TYPES OF OPAL
The term cabochon refers to a curved and polished dome. Opals are cut as cabochons. The most popular shape being an oval. Opal cabochons can be cut low, medium or high domed.
Cabochons are the oldest style of cut. Many early gemstones were cut in this style before faceting of gemstones was discovered. Recent current designs of jewellery has seen a resurgence in the use of this cut.
In the early 1990’s a new type of Opal surfaced in Mezezo Ethiopia Africa and it is stunning. We offer stunning Faceted Ethiopian Opal for sale from Mezezo and Welo. Faceted opals are crystal stones that reflect light really good. Most stones faceted are now from Ethiopia and rare to find from other fields.
Ancient and mysterious Opal Beads are prized for the colors that flicker and flow inside them. Common opals are also beautiful and come in many colors. These inspirational stones are found in different places around the world.
