Graduated Ethiopian Opal Necklace, 490.80 Carats

Forty monumental Ethiopian opal beads totaling 490.80 carats comprise this mesmerizing necklace. The graduated gems are not only impressive in size, but each exhibits a high level of translucence and extraordinary play of color. Opals are not cut into beads often, as they are usually found in thin layers; deposits that are large enough to be shaped into a bead are extremely rare. Therefore, 40 matching beads of this size and exceptional quality are almost never found.

The mining of Ethiopian opals only began relatively recently in the 1990s. In this region, the stones are generally found beneath a 3-meter layer of welded volcanic ash. Though plentiful, most opals found are quite dull; only about 1% of these nodules contain any color at all, let alone the striking rainbow of hues that these beads exhibit.

The gems are set with emerald beads totaling 36.12 carats and black onyx roundels.

27" length