Untreated Welo Fire Opal 2.18 (OPFI218)

2.18 Carat
Neon-Orange with Rainbow
Pattern: Flame/Pinpoint
Translucent - No Inclusions

GRADING REPORT OPFI218

- Identification: Natural Unheated & Untreated Crystal Opal
- Carat: 2.18
- Shape: Oval One-sided Cabochon
- Measures: 10.04x8.48x5.64 (millimeter)
- Body Color: Sunshine Orange / translucent
- Play of Color: Excellent
- Pattern: Small Flame to Lightning to Pinpoint
- Clarity: Translucent - Free of Inclusions
- Cutting Grade: Excellent
  - Finish: Excellent
  - Depth: 66%
- Origin: Ethiopia, Welo

Treatment: None

Certificate No: IGI 296721368

Overall Grade: Excellent

Comment: With a denser body, this 2.18 Welo leaves the classification 'crystal' and comes closer to 'fire opal'. Still it presents a very elusive and fluid body but not 100% transparency (no inclusions either). Its play-of-fire reaches over the whole rainbow spectrum with green and yellow in neon-power, while red and orange glow deep below. We find flame patters side-by-side with lightning and pin-point shapes. See the close-up! One could do thousands of those images and NEVER run dry with new formations in different colors. This opal is a good example of 'vivid' color-play. Like in other gemstones, the colors inside the 'play' can be mild, low toned, mixed and calm, or pure in hue, intensely wild and electric. The latter gems are, as always, the more expensive choices but it all remains a Q of taste. Here, the surface reminds of a gone-wild weather-map under power overload. We will also meet non-flashy, serene opals, but it is not this type.