Australian black opal or 'smoked opal'?
Many of the opals mined in Ethiopia, especially from the Welo region, are hydrophane. The term "hydrophane" refers to a category of highly porous opals that readily absorb water or other liquids. Given the absorption properties of hydrophane opal, this makes it particularly suitable for coloring with resins or fine particles that alter its color. In recent years, the mysterious smoked opal, sometimes sold as black opal, has appeared on the gemstone market. This beautiful and relatively inexpensive black opal is also available.
What is smoked opal?
Smoked opal is simply Ethiopian Welo hydrophane opal colored with smoke, which, under certain conditions, penetrates the pores of the stone and darkens its body. Smoke treatment can be done by wrapping the opal in paper and heating the paper to a temperature that produces fumes. The smoking paper releases fine particles of black soot that penetrate the pores of the opal and darken its color.
Why do such a procedure?
The main goal is to bring out the colors that appear more evident against a dark background, making it resemble as closely as possible the beautiful but expensive Australian black opal. However, smocked opal is not a black opal, but simply a natural opal that has undergone a color treatment to darken it.
Therefore, when considering purchasing a dark or black base opal at a relatively low price, it's always best to ask yourself: is it a natural black opal or a smoked opal? It's up to the seller to be honest and declare that a smocked opal isn't a natural black opal, but simply an opal colored with smoke. This treatment reduces the stone's value.
OpaleMio does not sell smoked opal.
