mineral

Ethiopian Fire Opal

Hydrated Silica (SiO2·nH2O)

Hardness: 5.5 to 6.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Yellow-orange body tone with vivid red and green play-of-color; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Amorphous (non-crystalline); Specific gravity: 1.9 to 2.2.

Hardness: 5
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified March 11, 2026More mineral →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from silica-rich water seeping into volcanic rock cavities (rhyolite or ash layers). Most major deposits in Ethiopia date to the Cenozoic era, specifically from the Welo district.

Uses & applications

Primarily used as a gemstone for fine jewelry (rings, pendants, earrings) and as high-value specimens for mineral collectors.

Geological facts

Ethiopian opals are often 'hydrophane,' meaning they can absorb water and change transparency or appearance temporarily when soaked. Significant mining in Ethiopia only began in the early 1990s and 2008.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its conchoidal fracture, lightweight feel, and distinctive 'play-of-color' (iridescence) when rotated under light. Major locations include the Wollo (Welo) and Shewa provinces of Ethiopia.