Fire Opal: Juicy Orange Gem

Fire Opal is an Opal

Fire opal breaks all the rules for opal. Opal is a gem valued for its play of color, the shifting light show in its depths. Body color is only a backdrop for the main attraction. But the color of fire opal is hard to ignore: hot yellows, oranges, and reds so bright they look as though they might glow in the dark. Fire opal sometimes does have play of color but it doesn't need it to take a starring role in jewelry.

Other opal varieties are usually cut in smooth-domed cabochon shapes so nothing distracts from the play of color. Fire opal is usually faceted, to add sparkle to the juicy color.

Mexico’s Contribution:

Mexican fire opal is the most famous type from Mexico's volcanic deposits around Queretaro. Named for its bright reddish-orange color instead of any play-of-color, fire opal is the only opal that is typically faceted. Usually Mexican opal in other colors are domed and sold as oval or round cabochons for jewelry use. Artifacts show that Mexican opal was used at least as far back as the Aztecs. Less expensive than many other jewels, Mexican fire opal is also one of the few genuine orange gemstones. For a different look in contemporary jewelry, Mexican matrix opal combines colorful opal highlights with orangish-red volcanic rhyolite

Sources:

Most opal is mined in Australia, a remnant of a long-ago sea. Most fire opal, however, is mined in Mexico, the result of ancient volcanoes! Fire opal can also be found in Oregon and British Columbia in Canada.

Fire opal has become much more popular in the last few years as more jewelry designers have grown to appreciate its bold presence and bright color. Because it is light as well as bright, fire opal is especially good for earrings, where even small sizes have a big punch of color.

Specifications:

• Color: Bright Orange to Reddish Orange
• Transparency: Transparent to opaque
• Refractive Index: 1.45 (+.020/-.080) DR
• Specific Gravity: 2.07 - 2.23
• Hardness: 5 - 6 1/2
• Toughness: Very poor

Care & Handling:

Fire opal, like all opal, has a high water content. As a result, it should be protected from heat and prolonged exposure to strong light, which could dry it out. All opal is relatively soft and should be in a protective mounting if set in a ring. Be especially careful with the points of marquise and pear shapes.

Return to Top of Page        Return to Index Page <

Copyright © 1998 - 2010 Penoir, Inc.
P.O. Box 823, Howell, MI 48844 USA
Telephone: 231-282-4294
Electronic mail: TJ@Penoir.com

Send mail to TJ@Penoir.com  with
questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: November 20, 2009