GRADING REPORT OPFR169
- Identification: Natural Unheated & Untreated Fire Opal
- Carat: 1.69
- Shape: Rectangular Two-sided Flat Panel
- Measures: 13.92x6.60x3.05 (millimeter)
- Body Color: Cinnamon Orange / translucent
- Play of Color: Excellent
- Pattern: Mosaic
- Clarity: Translucent - Free of Inclusions
- Cutting Grade: Very Good
- Finish: Very Good
- Depth: 46%
- Origin: Ethiopia, Welo
Treatment: None
Certificate No: IGI 296721366
Overall Grade: Very Good
Comment: Another opal-only feature: utterly unrestricted shapes and forms. No faceted gemstone could be cut in panel-shape with near 14x7mm and 46% depth without a terrible window or some other weird flaw (the exception might exists but doesn't come mind). Here, in a fire opal, we have few limits, and wait for bolder-opal, they are even less bound to shapes. On first sight, one might take this for a bolder opal, BTW, but a quick examination shows it is translucent, not opaque which is the main feature of bolder. The experienced opal virtuoso will know of exceptions, but they make the rule. A fire opal then, with our first mosaic play. Red and orange flames run up and down the new feature of this gem: blocks of metallic neon green. These blocks may disappear in certain angles, as in our main image, but they stick to a regular locality, which flames do not. A mosaic pattern glows in one spot, disappears and re-appeares but does not move around (again, exceptions confirm the rule). Note how opal evaluation and valuation, to a certain extent, disconnects from weight. This gem is almost too big for rings but weighs only 1.68 carat. In the other extreme we will meet bolder or other forms of opal weighing dozens of carats, but they will not cost a dozen times more, but rather be valued on a per piece basis, resulting in 20 carats and 2 carats with similar price-tags, but NOT because the bigger gem is of low grade quality but rather they both make one (1) opal for jewelry independent of weight. Economists, marketing-geeks and other strange people may find this an interesting phenomenon. Back to the gem in hand: No inclusions are visible even under the lens, IGI report untreated, from the new fields of Ethiopia which for the first time in recent history have made even such fascinating pieces available for a broader public. A word to lightning in opal photography: They don't change much with stronger or lower light (again very different from facetted stones). Therefore, you will find images in various light settings, whichever was available as long as it was natural and common. Secondary sunlight, office light, shadow, or dim candle light, most opals are attractive in any light condition and do not react much to camera settings. If exceptions come up, we will remark upon it.
