The History of Ethiopian Opal

The History of Ethiopian Opal

For centuries, the opal world was almost entirely Australian. From Lightning Ridge’s black opals to Coober Pedy’s white stones, Australia’s outback dominated the market and the imagination of gem collectors. But in the late 20th century, a new chapter in opal history was written—this time in the rugged highlands of East Africa.

The First Discovery – Shewa Province (1994)

The story begins in 1994, when opal was first discovered in Ethiopia’s Shewa Province, south of Addis Ababa. These early stones were brownish in tone with a play-of-colour that was intriguing but limited. At first, they were considered a curiosity, often treated as a gem collector’s novelty rather than a rival to Australia’s opal.

However, the Shewa find placed Ethiopia on the gemstone map. For the first time, experts and miners realized that the country held the geological conditions to produce opals of international significance.

The Breakthrough – Wollo Province (2008)

The true turning point came in 2008, with the discovery of opals in Ethiopia’s Wollo (or Welo) Province. This deposit produced opals of extraordinary quality—crystal-clear, often hydrophane (water-absorbent), and alive with vivid rainbow colours.

Unlike the earlier Shewa stones, Wollo opals were stable, abundant, and spectacular. Their play-of-colour rivalled, and in some cases even surpassed, Australian gems. Patterns within them ranged from broad flashes of fire to intricate pinfire sparkles, and their transparent bodies made them especially captivating.

The global market responded quickly. Ethiopian opals began to appear in jewellery stores worldwide, offering both beauty and affordability. By the early 2010s, they were being embraced by designers and collectors alike.

Hydrophane Nature – A Unique Twist

One of the most remarkable aspects of Ethiopian opal is its hydrophane property. Unlike Australian opals, many Ethiopian stones can absorb water, temporarily becoming more transparent and even altering their colours. For gemmologists, this made them fascinating to study; for jewellers, it introduced both opportunity and challenge.

The hydrophane effect sparked lively debates in the gemstone community. Some saw it as a flaw, others as a unique character trait. What couldn’t be denied was that it gave Ethiopian opals a reputation for being unlike anything else on the market.

A Rapid Rise in Popularity

By the mid-2010s, Ethiopian opal had gone from relative obscurity to one of the most talked-about gemstones in the world. Its affordability made opals accessible to new buyers, while its distinctive look gave jewellers fresh creative possibilities. Collectors were drawn to its wide variety—ranging from transparent crystal opals to honey-coloured and even chocolate-brown opals.

In just a few decades, Ethiopia had done what no country had managed for centuries: challenge Australia’s near-total dominance of the opal industry.

Ancient Land, New Gemstone

It is worth remembering that while Ethiopian opal is a modern discovery, the land itself is ancient. Ethiopia’s volcanic highlands are millions of years old, shaped by fire, water, and pressure—perfect conditions for opal to form. It’s almost poetic: a country with one of the world’s oldest human histories now contributes one of the newest treasures to the gemstone world.

Today and Tomorrow

Today, Ethiopian opal is firmly established in the global gemstone trade. It is admired for its brilliance, variety, and relatively affordable price. While it has not displaced Australian opal as the most prestigious, it has carved out its own identity—vibrant, youthful, and full of possibility.

Looking forward, Ethiopian opal continues to reshape the conversation about what opals can be. Its story is still being written, but one thing is clear: Ethiopia has given the world not just stones, but a reminder that beauty can be discovered in the most unexpected of places.