About Welo Opal
Welo Opal: Ethiopia’s Fiery Gift to the Gem World
Welo opal (also spelled Wollo or Welo) is one of the most important opal discoveries of the modern era. First unearthed in 1994 in the Menz Gishe District of Ethiopia’s northern Shewa Province, this stunning opal was found in rhyolite flows above a clay layer—an unusual host rock for gem opals.
The most significant deposit was discovered in 2008, near the town of Wegel Tena in the Wollo Province. This newer material was more stable, brighter, and easier to cut than earlier Ethiopian opals—launching Welo opal into global popularity almost overnight.
What Makes Welo Opal Special?
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Play of Color – Brilliant spectral flashes, often against a translucent to milky base
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Hydrophane Nature – Absorbs water, which can temporarily affect appearance (this is normal)
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Host Rock – Found in rhyolite, unlike Australian opals which form in sedimentary host rocks
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Stability – More stable than earlier Ethiopian finds, though still sensitive to moisture and heat
Geology & Mining Context
Welo opal forms in a volcanic environment and is embedded in hard rhyolite above a weathered clay layer. The opal-bearing strata are overlain by more than 300 meters of volcanic overburden, meaning we’ve only scratched the surface of this massive deposit. Much of the potential remains unexplored.
Because it's hydrophane, Welo opal can absorb water and temporarily lose its play of color when wet. Once fully dry, it regains its fire. For this reason, Welo opal is best kept dry and unsealed—no oiling, no stabilizing.
Welo opal is still an emerging gem, geologically speaking, with active mining and new discoveries reshaping what we know about this extraordinary stone.
🔥 Shop our Welo Opal and hold a piece of Ethiopia’s fiery underground in your hands.
