WELO TOPS Ultra Bright Rare HUGE BEST GEM Rough 46+ ct W543

and red down here too	red over here	pure white exterior masks strong color within	46.2 carats		red red red
a lot of opals will come from this piece, 46.2 carats		all window into the opal show red color

* Hint: Click on the thumbnails above to see the full sized version. Images are of the actual item unless otherwise indicated.

Welo Top Grade Cutters

46.2 carats, measuring 27 mm x 22 mm x 17 mmThis piece is part of a very special parcel of top grade brightness, large sizes, rare body tone and highly geometric patterns of opal rough. All of this group are grades above most of what is offered on the internet anywhere today.

This is a really large piece of opal rough. This size offers a cutter opportunities for profits which smaller stones cannot offer, no matter their quality. The ability to cut one single huge gemstone is always very tempting to some of us, myself included. Other might seek to create a set or suite of gems, freeform or matching in sizes and shapes. A clean opal of this size is worthy of study and consideration before making that first mark.

The windows we have into the stone reveal a swirling world of red dominant color display. Other colors are visible but mostly red wherever you look. Most of this piece is covered with the thin skin of volcanic tuff which formed the home for the creation of this magnificent opal.

A piece of good opal this size is a rare and wonderful thing and this is a very fine looking piece. No flaws or obvious cracks or debris other than its natural skin, common to all opal from this area. This would make a very smart investment as prices will likely never be this low on this opal.

Welo opal has hydrophane properties and will absorb water. Wetting it will cause it to gain weight and will affect both the body tone and color display. This rough has not been watered for weight or extra brightness, No treatments of any kind. Pictures are all taken dry, mostly in sunshine or bright overcast. It's been a rainy summer.

This site has a forum with lots of discussion on cutting Ethiopian opals in general and Welo rough in particular. I have posted lots of cutting information there and several other cutters have as well. We invite you to share your cutting experiences as well. Please contact me for more specific advice on cutting this piece. I'm happy to help my customers anytime.

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