Ethiopian opal
Rough Welo and Mezezo opal in wholesale parcels, exported under licence from Addis Ababa.
What we sell
- Form
- Rough
- From
- Wollo, in the north; Mezezo, in North Shewa
- Offered as
- Wholesale parcels, by the gram and the kilogram; single stones on request
- Examined by
- Sebsibe Alemneh, a geologist, before a parcel is offered
- Shown
- Our own photographs and video, unedited, each marked dry or wet
- Inspect
- In Addis Ababa, by live video, or through samples
- Price
- Sent with your selection
- Export
- Under an Ethiopian mineral export licence, insured by air
Questions opal buyers ask
Can rough opal be exported from Ethiopia?
Yes. A licensed exporter may ship opal rough. The old rule that part of it had to leave cut was lifted in July 2021; the history is in Can rough opal be exported from Ethiopia?
What does rough opal cost?
Each parcel in your selection carries its own price, per gram or for the lot. For what rough sells for abroad, see What rough Ethiopian opal costs per gram and per kilogram.
Will it craze?
Most opal from Wollo does not craze. In the first detailed study, about 5% of stones cracked during sawing and preforming. The evidence is in Will my opal craze? Stability in Ethiopian opal.
Are the photographs dry or wet?
Every photograph and video in a selection says whether the stones were dry or wet, and none is edited. Why it matters is in Dry or wet: how to read an opal photograph.
Is it treated?
Each parcel in your selection lists any treatment or testing on record. Dark Ethiopian opal is often smoked or dyed, and the signs are in Smoked and dyed Ethiopian opal: how to spot treated dark opal.
What duty will I pay?
Unworked rough enters the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and Hong Kong free of customs duty, and India charges 0.5%, as of October 2026. Import VAT or GST still applies. The rates are in Import duty on rough gemstones from Ethiopia, by country.
How can I check Maedot before I pay?
We export under an Ethiopian mineral export licence. You receive a proforma invoice and a sales contract before you pay, and you pay into our account at an Ethiopian commercial bank. The checks to make are in How to check an Ethiopian gemstone supplier before you pay.