WHAT ARE FIRE OPALS?

FIRE OPALS - THE ORANGE OPAL OCTOBER GEMSTONE

Posted on October 18, 2015 by Richard Scott

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What are Fire Opals?

This Month (October) has the Interesting Birthstone Opal.

Now I’m NOT a Big Fan of the Standard White Opal, but I do like Blue Opals, Mosaic Opals, and Fire Opals.

What are Fire Opals?

I’m Glad you Asked!

Fire Opals are Opals that generally have an Orange Body Tone to them with Plenty of Red Play-Of-Color.

They are Quite Different in Appearance than a Normal Opal.

Firery and Rare, you won’t find a lot of them on the Market.

Most people have no Idea that Opals could look Orange, and this Orange Hue is mostly caused by Iron Oxide and other Impurities Mixed with the Stone upon Creation.

The Colors of Fire

But Orange isn’t the only Color of Fire Opals.

You’ll also find them in Yellow, Brown, or even Red (Which are sometimes called “Cherry Opals“)

Crazy, eh?

They’re Rare, but still Popular to use in High-End Designer Jewelry! (Just like the Zultanite Gemstone).

Their Color is Outstanding, and most Fire Opals are Very Clean (Inclusion Free), Transparent, and Weirdly enough, FACETED!

Faceted Opals?

You normally NEVER see Opals Faceted like other Gemstones (Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald…), they’re usually Cabochon Cut or Domed.

But Fire Opals, because of their Transllucent Properties, makes them the Perfect Orange Stone to Facet and Style.

The very first time I ever saw a Fire Opals, I was Fascinated. I had no Idea it was Opal. Since then, I’ve seen many other Orange Gems like:

Orange Sapphire

Carnelian

Sardonyx

Crocoite

Hessonite

Calcite

Spessartine

Chrysoberyl

heliodor

Sunstone

Cassiterite

Smokey Quartz

Amber

And even Citrines!

And I tell you…

I Do Love Orange Gemstones!

They’re so Unique and Bright!

You couldn’t get a More Appropriate Gemstone for Fall, October and Halloween!

Wear it with Earth Tones, Browns or Golds and it will make your Jewelry Sparkle, Dance, and Stand out in a Crowd!

Your Chakra will Thank you!

Plus, you can also Wear Fire Opals for the Sacral Chakra (Which is Below the Navel – Read more about Chakra Here!)

Orange Gems are said to Bring Enthusiasm, Creativity, and Joy!

SWEET!

And, many also say that it Benefits the Eyes, Brings Enlightenment, Balances your Energies, and Aids in Purification!

AWESOME!

It must be those Flashes of Red Fire!

Right?

And the Funny thing about calling it “FIRE” Opal…

This Gem Can’t take HEAT!

(Get Outta the Kitchen!)

Heat can Crack the Stone and Shatter it!

Just like Regular Opals (Which are a 5.5 – 6 on the Mohs Scale), Fire Opals are a 6-6.5 on the Scale, and should be kept AWAY from Heat (Like Jeweler’s Torches, Jewelry Cleaners, and Steam Cleaners).

They should also be set in a Very Protective Mounting, since they’re Softer Gemstones, to keep them from getting Banged or Hit.

And, you should probably keep them from Drying out as well!

Opals are Porous Gems and Absord Fluids (Just like Pearls Do), so Wipe them with your Fingers (to Absord Body Oils), or Dab some Olive Oil on them, or even just Wet them with Water to keep them Vivid, Lustrous, and Lovely!

How Do You Clean Them?

Clean Fire Opals Gently by Hand using Mild Soap and Water (No Harsh Detergents or Acids).

A Gentle Cleaning will make your Opals Last a Lifetime!

And while you can get Opals in Other Colors as well: Blue, Black, Colorless, Green, Grey, Red or White, it’s the Orange Gems that really Steal the Show!