|
 |
|
| Color |
|
Red to orange to gold,
fire opal has an almost dayglo intensity of color |
|
|
|
| Gem Family |
|
Fire opal is a vividly
colored transparent variety of opal, with or without
play of color. |
|
|
|
| Source |
|
Fire Opal is mined in
Mexico in the states of Queretaro, Hidalgo, Guerrero,
Michoacan, Julisio, Chihuahua and San Luis Potosi.
The mines of Queretaro are the most significant
and have been mined since 1835. Small pebbles of
fire opal are found in lava flows rich in silica. |
|
|
|
| Clarity |
|
Transparent to translucent |
|
|
|
| Size Range |
|
0.5 carat to 5 carats.
Rare gems have been found that are up to 50 carats
in size. |
|
|
|
| Shapes Available |
|
Although fire opal is
traditionally cut in cabochons, like other types
of opal, fine qualities can be faceted to add brilliance
to the vivid color. Ovals, trillions, cushions,
and rounds are available. |
|
|
|
| Enhancement |
|
Fire opal is not treated:
the color is natural, exactly as it is found in
the earth. |
|
|
|
| Lore & History |
|
Mexico, land of the sun,
has temples built to honor the firey orb that rules
our days. Aztec sun temples are as much what draws
travelers to Mexico as modern sun worshipping on
the beaches of Cancun. Unique to Mexico, fire opal
has been treasured since the time of the Aztecs.
Its fiery color is unique in the gem world for its
vivid intensity. |
|
|
|
| Toughness &
Hardness |
|
The hardness of fire
opal is 5.5 on the Mohs scale, similar to tanzanite. |
|
|
|
| Care & Cleaning |
|
Most people know that
opal is one of the softer gemstones and requires
some extra care by the wearer. Fire opal is the
same. Don't wear it when you know you will be doing
hard physical work. If they are hit hard, they can
chip. To clean fire opal, use warm water and detergent.
Scrub with a soft brush and rinse with warm water.
It is not necessary to store your fire opal in water
or oil when not wearing it. Do store it separately
in a soft pouch where it won't get damaged or scratched
by other jewelry. |
|
|
|
| Price Range |
|
$75 to $400 per carat
for larger stones |
|
|
|
| Special Characteristics |
|
Unlike other opals, most
fire opal is faceted to add brilliance to its firey
color. Fire opal sometimes displays play of color,
the shifting spectrum of colors that makes Australian
opal one of the most colorful gems. The contrast
of shifting rainbow colors against the bright orange
of fire opal's body color is almost psychedelic.
Fire opal that displays play of color is cut into
cabochon shapes. |
