AAA Quality Yellow Base Natural Ethiopian Opal Beads16 Beaded Necklace with Additional 2 inch 92.5 sterling silver extension (Natural Yellow Base Ethiopian Opal)

Update: Do NOT wear Ethiopian Opal directly on your skin 24/7. The opals I used to make a choker ended up losing their fire and turned yellow. I soaked them in acetone for a few hours, rinsed them, pat them dry, then put them in a tiny vial with some rice to dry. The fire came back, but they're still yellow. The bracelet I made hasn't changed color at all, due to not being directly on the skin.I was extremely skeptical about the authenticity of these opals when I bought my first strand, but these opals are so stunning. I ordered a second necklace on the same day I received the first.I did a couple easy tests to help me figure out if these opals are the real deal. Most Ethiopian opals are hydrophane, which means that they absorb water. When an Ethiopian Opal absorbs enough water, it loses it's fire and becomes transparent. The fire will return after the opal is allowed to dry out for a few hours. I'm happy to say that these opals passed that test. The second test involves placing the opals on your tongue for 5-10 seconds and then slowly/gently pulling the opals away. Due to the hydrophane properties, the opals will feel like they're being peeled off your tongue. The test may look a little silly, but it's quick and easy. The opals passed this test as well.A few quick tips on caring for Ethiopian opals; repeatedly submerging your opals in water for long periods of time can cause damage to them. Rinsing the opals under cool water and then immediately drying them with a clean cloth is the preferred way to clean them. Using any type of jewelry cleaner solution can cause damage. Ultrasonic jewelry cleaners should not be used on opals. Opals should be removed before showering, swimming, using sprays to style your hair, and cooking foods that cause grease splatter (Bacon)For anyone interested in repurposing these opals for beading, the hole sizes on these opals are very inconsistent. Half of the opals were able to fit on a .5 mm headpin or string, while the other half needed to be strung on a .36 mm ultra thin string. I didn't dock any stars seeing as how the necklace wasn't advertised for beading.I've included several pictures of the necklace with and without flash, a picture of what the opals look like off the string next to ultra bright blue topaz, and a couple of pictures of what the opals look like in a repurposed custom design.