Ethiopian Fire Opal 6.60 Carat — Perfectly Proportioned Welo Gem with Exceptional Depth
This Ethiopian Fire Opal 6.60 Carat (7.25 Ratti) is a beautifully proportioned natural opal from the renowned Welo mines of Ethiopia. What sets this stone apart is its exceptional depth-to-spread ratio — with 8.2mm depth relative to its 14.2 × 11.7 mm face, this gem captures and reflects light from multiple angles, maximizing the spectacular play-of-color fire.
This Opal (दूधिया पत्थर) represents the ideal balance between impressive size and comfortable wearability — substantial enough to make a statement, yet perfectly proportioned for elegant rings and pendants. The mesmerizing rainbow fire — vivid flashes of red, orange, green, and blue — dance across the stone’s surface as light interacts with millions of microscopic silica spheres within.
Gemstone Specifications
| Gemstone Type | Natural Fire Opal (Doodhiya Pathar / दूधिया पत्थर) |
| Weight | 6.60 Carat (7.25 Ratti) |
| Dimensions | 14.2 × 11.7 × 8.2 mm |
| Shape/Cut | Oval Cut |
| Colour | White with Play-of-Color Fire |
| Origin | Ethiopia (Welo Region) |
| Treatment | Natural & Untreated |
| Hardness | 5.5 – 6.5 on Mohs Scale |
| Refractive Index | 1.43 – 1.46 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.98 – 2.20 |
| Chemical Composition | SiO₂·nH₂O (Hydrated Silica) |
| Certification | Lab Certified (Free) |
| Conclusion | Natural Opal |
Why This Stone’s Proportions Matter
This 6.60-carat Ethiopian Opal features an exceptional depth-to-spread ratio that gemstone enthusiasts appreciate:
- Superior Depth (8.2mm): Deeper stones capture more light internally, creating more vibrant and three-dimensional fire visible from multiple viewing angles
- Optimal Spread (14.2 × 11.7 mm): Provides excellent finger coverage for rings while maintaining elegant proportions for pendants
- Balanced Weight Distribution: The 6.60 carat weight is concentrated for maximum visual impact rather than spread thin
- Versatile Size: Large enough for statement jewellery, yet practical for comfortable everyday occasional wear
At 7.25 Ratti, this stone comfortably exceeds minimum weight recommendations for those interested in gemstones for personal or traditional purposes.
The Science Behind the Fire
Opal’s legendary play-of-color occurs through light diffraction — not pigmentation. This stone contains millions of microscopic silica spheres (150-400 nanometers in diameter) arranged in orderly three-dimensional lattice patterns. When light enters, it diffracts off these sphere layers, creating the phenomenon known as Bragg diffraction.
The size of the silica spheres determines which colours appear: smaller spheres (~150nm) produce blues and violets, while larger spheres (~350nm) create the rarer, more valuable reds and oranges. Ethiopian Welo opals typically contain larger spheres, which is why they often display more reds and greens than their Australian counterparts.
Understanding Ethiopian Opal’s Hydrophane Property — Important
Ethiopian Opal is classified as “hydrophane” — derived from Greek meaning “water-loving.” This porous structure can absorb water, which is NOT a defect but rather the very property that creates the spectacular play-of-color fire.
What happens if it gets wet: The play-of-color may temporarily diminish as water fills the microscopic voids between silica spheres, altering the stone’s refractive index. This effect is completely reversible.
Recovery timeline:
- Brief exposure (handwashing splash): Minutes to hours
- Moderate exposure: 1-3 days
- Extended soaking: Up to 1-2 weeks for full restoration
Never use heat to speed drying — this can cause permanent cracking (crazing).
Care recommendations:
- Remove before washing hands, showering, or swimming
- Apply perfumes and lotions BEFORE wearing your opal
- Clean with soft, dry microfiber cloth only — avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners
- Store separately from harder gemstones (diamonds and sapphires will scratch opal)
- Maintain moderate humidity in storage — avoid bone-dry environments
Best jewellery types: Pendants and earrings offer maximum protection. For rings, choose protective bezel settings and remove during manual activities.
Certification and Authenticity
Every gemstone from Ratna Gems includes:
- Lab Certificate from an ISO 9001:2015 Certified Gems Testing Laboratory
- Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee — we stand behind every stone we sell
- Certificate Verification — verify your report directly with the issuing laboratory
The certificate confirms this stone’s identity as Natural Opal with no treatment of any kind.
Natural Characteristics
Minor natural inclusions, colour zoning, or internal growth patterns may be visible under magnification. These are natural identifying characteristics that help gemologists confirm the stone is genuinely natural and distinguish it from synthetic or imitation materials. Such features are expected in natural gemstones and do not indicate defects.
Browse More Opal Options
Explore our complete collection of certified Ethiopian Opal stones:
View All Opal Stones
New to buying Opal? Read our comprehensive guide first:
Opal (Doodhiya Pathar) Buying Guide
Our Commitment to You
| Certification | Lab report from ISO 9001:2015 Certified Laboratory + Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee |
| Returns | 7-day easy return from delivery. See our Return & Refund Policy |
| Shipping | Free insured shipping across India with tracking |
| Packaging | Secure, tamper-evident packaging |
| Payment | COD available | Secure online payment options |
| Support | WhatsApp assistance for any queries |
Frequently Asked Questions
This is a 100% natural Ethiopian Opal from the Welo region, confirmed by laboratory certification. The stone is completely untreated — no heat, no dye, no smoke treatment, no enhancement of any kind. The play-of-color you see is entirely natural.
Ethiopian Opal is “hydrophane” — it has a porous structure that can absorb water. When water enters the microscopic voids between silica spheres, it changes the light diffraction properties that create the play-of-color. This is completely temporary — once the stone air-dries naturally (hours to days depending on exposure), the fire returns in full. Never use heat to speed drying as this can cause permanent cracking.
Ethiopian Opal can be set in rings with proper care. However, for daily-wear engagement rings, consider: (1) Use protective bezel settings, (2) Remove during handwashing, bathing, cleaning, and exercise, (3) Be mindful of the stone’s softer nature (5.5-6.5 Mohs). Many couples choose opal for special occasion wear rather than everyday engagement rings, or opt for pendants and earrings for worry-free daily enjoyment.
Deeper stones capture and reflect light from multiple angles, creating more vibrant and three-dimensional fire. The 8.2mm depth relative to the 14.2 × 11.7 mm spread means this stone has excellent proportions for maximum play-of-color visibility. Shallow-cut opals often appear “flat” with less dynamic fire.
Clean Ethiopian Opal with a soft, dry microfiber cloth only — gently wipe away fingerprints and oils after each wearing. Never use water soaks, ultrasonic cleaners, steam cleaners, or chemical solutions. If the stone accidentally gets wet, allow it to air-dry naturally in a safe place away from heat sources.
Opal is the official birthstone for October. In Vedic tradition, it is associated with Venus (Shukra) and is mentioned as a gemstone option for Libra (Tula Rashi) and Taurus (Vrishabha Rashi). This information is provided for cultural reference only. For personal suitability guidance, we recommend consulting a qualified astrologer.
The primary difference is structure: Ethiopian Opal is hydrophane (porous, can absorb water) while Australian Opal is non-porous and water-stable. Ethiopian Opals often display more vivid, three-dimensional fire at significantly lower price points. Australian Opals command higher prices due to their established reputation and greater everyday durability. Both are 100% natural precious opals.
Yes, we offer a 7-day easy return policy from the date of delivery. The stone must be in original condition. Please review our Return & Refund Policy for complete terms and conditions.
Silver, white gold, and platinum are excellent choices for opal. Bezel settings offer superior protection compared to prong settings. The choice depends on personal style preference and budget.
Ratna Gems specializes in loose certified gemstones and does not currently offer custom jewellery services. You can have this stone set by your trusted local jeweller. We recommend sharing our care guidelines with them to ensure proper handling.
