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This is a big one and a real stunner!  It is over 4 carats- 4.13cts to be exact, and the dimensions are 13.61 x 10.74 x 6.33mm deep.  It is untreated Welo opal from Ethiopia, and this quality is most definitely not easy to find at the gem markets here in Thailand, much less stores in the Western world!  This gemstone will definitely turn heads.

http://s14.postimage.org/fx22ztkgx/DSCN7949.jpg

The blue and green play-of-color in this gemstone is spectacular and very likely you have not seen an opal like it before unless you are already collecting these very special African opals.  In an Australian opal, colors like this are just out of reach- they have become astronomically expensive.  Because Australia has such a rich tradition in opal, the market deems them "better" than Ethiopian material.  But as time has passed, we have seen the chasm between Australian and Ethiopian opal prices get smaller.  As more people own this Ethiopian material and as more high-end jewelry designers use it, the market is starting to see the beauty and value in it. 

http://s14.postimage.org/be3mjj6qp/DSCN7953.jpg

Opals are very dynamic gemstones.  Even a small change in the light or the angle will change their character, and patterns and colors inside the stone will gyrate and twist to an amazing degree.  The blue and green light trails in this stone are sure to please.  Really high quality opal like this fine cabochon is indeed very beautiful to behold.  Creative types are often drawn in by the special allure of this gem.

http://s13.postimage.org/5hz4iixuf/DSCN7954.jpg

One of the most amazing traits of Welo opal from Ethiopia is that the vast majority of it is untreated, unlike its Australian counterparts.  Smoke and sugar treatments are common in Australian opal and resin treatments are becoming almost commonplace.  This particular Welo opal has had no treatment of any type, and that is the rule with all of the opal that we sell.  There is enough beautiful opal in the market that if we are patient and very selective, we can choose gorgeous opal that is beautiful just as it came from the earth- without any chemical treatment.

This Welo opal auction starts at 16BTC and the bid increment is .5BTC.  Good luck!

This auction ends:

Friday, March 2nd at 03:16:14 PM

I was just looking at the pictures of this 4.13 carat opal, and it is remarkable how much more beautiful this stone is in real life.  Rest assured you have 31 days to return it for a full refund if you don't adore it!

~Dave

This opal is just darn hard to shoot.  I tried it with a little different background and lighting and got better results but it is not as beautiful as real life.  Opal has such a dynamic character that it is hard to capture it in pictures. 

http://s16.postimage.org/bdut0czdh/DSCN8276.jpg

http://s14.postimage.org/qoozq8wsh/DSCN8277.jpg

http://s17.postimage.org/trurqqi3j/DSCN8278.jpg

The blue and green are very beautiful in this opal.  It also has a graceful outline and a nice high dome, making it even more appealing.  It would make a fabulous pendant or ring.  And yes, we do make both pendants and rings.  You can choose sterling silver, palladium, platinum 900 or 950, and white or yellow gold in 14K or 18K.  We even have white gold with no nickel which is an excellent hypoallergenic choice.  Instead of nickel the gold is alloyed with palladium.  We can do 22K yellow gold as well.

I'll offer BTC 16 for it.

Thank you for the bid Znort987 and welcome to the auctions.  The bid is 16BTC- anyone for 16.5BTC?

Congratulations Znort987!  This was a good win at 16BTC.  I am certain you will be very impressed by this stone when you hold it in your hands.