Ethiopian White Opal Wheel Beads | Natural Welo Tyre Heishi Smooth & Faceted | Bulk Strand

The Flattest, Most Stackable Ethiopian Opal Shape — Wheel / Tyre / Heishi Cut

If you've worked with rondelle beads and want something even flatter and more uniform, the wheel cut — also called tyre or heishi — is your next favorite shape. These Ethiopian White Opal Wheel Beads lie perfectly flat on the strand, creating a clean, uninterrupted ribbon of opal fire that's especially stunning in multi-layered necklace designs and wrap bracelets.

Both smooth and faceted finishes are available. Select your preferred finish and carat weight at checkout.

Product Overview

Sourced from the Welo region of Ethiopia, each bead is cut into a flat disc / wheel / tyre shape — thinner and wider than a standard rondelle, with a smooth edge profile that catches light evenly across the entire surface. The faceted version adds micro-cut facets to the circumference edge, creating sharp, prismatic light reflections for maximum fire display.

📐 Specifications

Stone: Natural Ethiopian Opal (Welo White Opal)
Color: Creamy White / Milky White / Light Honey with rainbow fire
Shape: Wheel / Tyre / Heishi (flat disc cut)
Sold As: Per Strand

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ SMOOTH FINISH — 8-inch strand │
│ Available Carat Options (select at checkout): │
│ 34.5 ct | 38.5 ct | 41.5 ct | 44 ct | 47.5 ct │
│ 50 ct | 52.5 ct | 56.5 ct | 62 ct | 70 ct │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ FACETED FINISH — 16-inch strand │
│ Available Carat Options (select at checkout): │
│ 68 ct | 70 ct │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Origin: Welo, Ethiopia
Grade: AAA Natural Gemstone
Treatment: Untreated / Natural
Note: Bead count varies by carat; heavier = larger/more beads

Perfect For Your Next Creation

These Ethiopian opal wheel beads for jewelry making are a top choice for designers who want a clean, architectural bead with strong fire presence. Here's what crafters love making with them:

Layered necklaces — the flat disc profile sits flush on the skin, ideal for close-to-neck designs

Heishi-style bracelets — smooth wheel beads on elastic cord create a polished, modern look

Wire-wrapped statement pieces — faceted tyre beads catch light like tiny prisms when wire-wrapped

Boho stackable bracelets — mix smooth and faceted strands together for contrast texture

Birthstone jewelry — October opal in an elegant flat-disc form for custom gifting

Minimalist necklace designs — the disc shape creates a clean, uncluttered bead line

These natural opal beads by the strand are pre-strung and ready to work with the moment they arrive.

🌿 Quality & Sourcing

Every strand features AAA-grade natural Ethiopian Welo opal — hand-selected for consistent wheel shape uniformity, clean drill holes, and strong fire-play. No synthetic stones, no dye, no resin treatment. The creamy white body color with rainbow fire flash is entirely natural, sourced directly from Welo region miners.

🧼 Care Instructions

Ethiopian opal is hydrophane and absorbs water easily. Keep away from perfumes, oils, and moisture. Store in a dry, sealed pouch between uses. Clean only with a dry, soft cloth — no ultrasonic cleaning.

📦 Bulk & Wholesale Orders

Need multiple strands for a production order or supply restock? Message us for bulk Ethiopian opal wheel bead pricing on 5+ strands. We offer competitive rates for opal beads lot and wholesale purchases across both smooth and faceted finish options.