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Wollo Opal Ethiopia
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Author:  transnational12 [ Sun Apr 07, 2019 2:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Wollo Opal Ethiopia

Hi!
I'm heading to Ethiopia in May.
Anyone in possession of intelligence regarding laws and regulations vis-a-vis the purchase and export of Ethiopian opals.

Best wishes,
Transnational

Author:  1bwana1 [ Sun Apr 07, 2019 9:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wollo Opal Ethiopia

Be very careful when buying stones in Ethiopia. Trading and currency laws are very complicated, and can get you into difficulties easily.

Author:  transnational12 [ Tue Apr 09, 2019 12:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wollo Opal Ethiopia

1bwana1 wrote:
Be very careful when buying stones in Ethiopia. Trading and currency laws are very complicated, and can get you into difficulties easily.


Bwana,
Could you expand? What are the concrete steps for exporting the opals?

What are you referring to when discussing currency laws?

Author:  DaCopy [ Mon Jul 22, 2019 1:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wollo Opal Ethiopia

It's hard regulated by government.
Much easier to buy it in Kenya. If you have the right contacts. They bring it in by the kilo but less can be arranged.
And yes a lot safer.
Not just because of the laws. It is a dangerous country Ethiopia. The mines are way north.

But tell us. Did you go? And if. Do please write how it went.

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Author:  transnational12 [ Fri Aug 23, 2019 11:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wollo Opal Ethiopia

DaCopy wrote:
It's hard regulated by government.
Much easier to buy it in Kenya. If you have the right contacts. They bring it in by the kilo but less can be arranged.
And yes a lot safer.
Not just because of the laws. It is a dangerous country Ethiopia. The mines are way north.

But tell us. Did you go? And if. Do please write how it went.



Extremely unsuccessful. Took a flight up north and wanted to visit the mine at Wegel Tena. Taxi driver pulled over at the police station in a market town in close proximity to Wegel Tena. A sweating man in a leather jacket with the police officer behind him informed me that it was unsafe and there was 'conflict & war' occurring in Wegel Tena. Obviously, a terminological inexactitude but nevertheless, headed back to Addis and purchased a few samples.
I'm very interested in opals from Kenya. Could you please send me a private message.

Thanks in advance,
transnational12

Author:  1bwana1 [ Fri Aug 23, 2019 11:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wollo Opal Ethiopia

Every time I have ventured into a gem producing area in Ethiopia there has been unpleasant interactions with people in various uniforms, with automatic weapons. I have been lucky because I have always stopped in Addis to clear my travel with appropriate authorities. Because of this, the worst that has happened to me is a military escort out of the area. I know people who have not been so lucky. These days I'd rather go other places without the complications.

Author:  transnational12 [ Fri Aug 23, 2019 12:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wollo Opal Ethiopia

1bwana1 wrote:
Every time I have ventured into a gem producing area in Ethiopia there has been unpleasant interactions with people in various uniforms, with automatic weapons. I have been lucky because I have always stopped in Addis to clear my travel with appropriate authorities. Because of this, the worst that has happened to me is a military escort out of the area. I know people who have not been so lucky. These days I'd rather go other places without the complications.


Purchased in Addis, what is your assessment of these opals?

Which polities do you recommend in Africa, south of the Sahara.

Best wishes,
Transnational12

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Author:  1bwana1 [ Fri Aug 23, 2019 12:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wollo Opal Ethiopia

Of course judging Opal is highly dependant on lighting, so it is hard to be very accurate from such a picture.

It looks like just slightly better than average material. But less than average cutting. Plenty available on the market without traveling. Price will depend on the market you are selling into.

Author:  transnational12 [ Sat Sep 07, 2019 12:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wollo Opal Ethiopia

1bwana1 wrote:
Of course judging Opal is highly dependant on lighting, so it is hard to be very accurate from such a picture.

It looks like just slightly better than average material. But less than average cutting. Plenty available on the market without traveling. Price will depend on the market you are selling into.


Been offered this from a seller in the Horn of Africa's power state, Ethiopia.

8 USD per gram for the cut stones: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=y ... pp=desktop

4kg piece that is shown in the picture is 8000 USD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B6LM9y ... pp=desktop

Enlighten me on the authenticity of the stones. Is it yay or nay?

Best wishes,
transnational12

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