Ethiopian Opal is a fairly recent discovery by most crystal standards, first coming onto the scene in 1994. As it is found in much larger quantites in relation to other opal deposits, it is one of the most affordable precious opal varieties. The base body colour of Ethiopian Opal varies from crystal clear to a milky white, darker black and even yellow/red/orange coloured. Although some are found naturally dark, they can also be treated with smoke, or a sugar/acid bath to darken the body colour to fetch higher prices. As they are very porous, Ethiopian Opal can also be easily dyed colours, either to mimic natural, rarer colours, or to create new brighter ones.
| Alternative Names | Welo Opal |
| Colour | Rainbow, Black, White, Orange, Yellow, Red |
| Hardness | 5 - 6.5 |
| Crystal system | Amorphous |
| Streak | White |
| Lustre | Vitreous, Waxy, Greasy, Dull |
| Main Locations | Ethiopia |
| Chakra | Crown, Third Eye, Throat, Heart, Solar Plexus, Sacral, Root |
| Zodiac | Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces, Libra |
| Numerology | 8 |
| Planetary | Unknown |
| Element | Earth, Water |
