Different Types of Fire Opal Gemstone

Symbol of passionate love, fire opal is one of the most sought-after varieties of opal gemstones. But do you know that it also has numerous varieties to choose from? Yes, there are different types of fire opal gemstones to sweep you off your feet. 

So, what are they?

Fire opals are an excellent recommendation for those who keep a little mystical taste in gems and want to hold the beauty of fireworks in some magnificent jewelry piece, such as a fire opal ring or bracelet, etc. But, before getting carried away by its magnificence, evaluate some crucial parameters of quality like cut, color, clarity, and carat to be sure.

Let’s deep dive into the majestic world of fire opal gemstones and update ourselves on the various varieties of fire opal gemstones.

Types of Fire Opal Gemstones: A Complete Buyer’s Guide

When you begin researching fire opal gemstones in the category of orange gems list online, you must first determine whether the stone is natural, lab-grown, treated, etc. It is the fundamental knowledge that every customer should have. Check out the common differences below to help you identify your fire opal.

Natural Fire Opal Gemstone

Natural fire opal is true to its name in terms of its origin. Basically, fire opal is made at the depths of extinct volcanoes when water flows into silica-rich lava and fills in its cracks and hollows. The lava retains moisture under extreme heat and pressure, creating these fantastical gemstones.

Synthetic/ Lab-Grown Fire Opal Gemstone

Fire opals are manufactured in a controlled environment with human intervention. They are identical to natural opals in terms of their internal structure, chemical makeup, physical characteristics, and appearance, and they are less valuable than their natural counterparts.

Treated Fire Opal Gemstone

Most fire opals extracted today are considerably lighter than what is considered suitable in fine jewelry. These stones typically have one or more treatments to address this problem and simultaneously enhance their color by improving the color. The two effective treatments are smoke treatment (to enhance the color) and Sugar treatment ( to improve the durability and hue).

The difference between a lab-created and a natural opal might not be more evident to the untrained eye. How will you then know? It is always suggested to ask for the certificate of authenticity from the seller as it will validate the purchase. Finding a verified seller is also the key.

Also See: Everything You Need to Know About the Astrological Benefits of Gemstones

Fire Opal Variety: Bases on Origin

Knowing various types of fire opal will help you find something “fit to the occasion” and, most importantly, will allow you to navigate your preferences. Please scroll down to learn more about it.

Mexican Fire Opal

Mexico is known for its fine-quality fire opal production. Renowned for their transparency and deep reddish hue, Mexican fire opals are rare and in high demand in the gemstone industry. 

The top states where fire opal is mined are Queretaro, Julisio, Michoacan, Hidalgo, Guerrero, Chihuahua, and San Luis Potosi in Mexico. In Queretaro, the most significant mines were found in 1835 and are still active today.

Brazilian Fire Opal

Brazilian Fire Opal lacks the typical dancing hues associated with opals. Still, it has remarkable clarity, dazzling brilliance, and unusual, blazing, golden orange yellows that give it its stunning beauty. 

Australian Fire Opal

Fire opal from Australia is renowned for its exceptional color play, lesser translucency, and paler base colors. Although there are some exceptions, it often maintains a brighter color and does not exhibit a foundation as rich as Mexican fire opal.

American Fire Opal

Fire opal from North, Central, and South America boasts yellowish to reddish hues and are transparent, making them the most valuable. Cherry opal is a common name for the red variations.

Also See: Gemstone Types – A Comprehensive Guide to All the Different Gemstones

Types of Fire Opal: The Role of Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat (Quality Parameters)

The appearance of fire opal is the consequence of numerous separate factors interconnected with and impacted by one another. These components are clarity, cut, color, and carat. Let’s examine each and how it affects the stone’s total cost and quality.

What Impact Does Background Have on the Color of Fire Opal?

Fire opals come in numerous colors; some specimens show many hues in a single stone. Although the vivid sunny yellows are highly prized, the more intense orange and orange-red hues are of particular worth. Fire opal can display the most vivid orange of any orange gemstone.

It’s important to note that darker types often exhibit more extraordinary color play than yellow (golden) varieties. Compared to stones with a faint orange tint, those with a rich orange color are more valuable. 

Additionally, jewels with more incredible brilliance are worth more than gems with drabber colors. Generally speaking, the more vivid an opal’s color, the more valuable it is.

How Does Clarity Effect Fire Opal?

There are two critical factors in evaluating the clarity of fire opal gemstones, i.e., impact on durability and visibility of inclusions. 

Standard fire opals can be translucent and transparent. The stones with fewer intrinsic faults and less hazy appearance are more precious than the included gems.

Rare fire opals are completely clear. Although some inclusions in a gemstone are standard, you should refrain from investing in stones with fissures because these faults might jeopardize the stone’s structural stability. The best stones to choose are those that are as evenly toned and visually appear clean.

Different Types of Fire Opals as Per Cut

A good cut highlights the gem’s natural brilliance to the maximum feasible extent. This is an essential component of quality analysis since it incorporates aesthetic choices, including faceting styles and the most crucial shape. 

Since fire opals can range from transparent to translucent, faceted gemstones are frequently found on higher-grade specimens than cabochon-cut options. Traditional shapes, including rounds, ovals, cushions, and pears, are the most common for fire opals.

Darker fire opals are frequently carved into cabochons to enhance their color play. Now, you know what to search for in your fire opal. 

Fire Opal Varieties Based on Carat Weight

Opals are available in various shapes and carat sizes. Large uncut opal weighs 998 grams or a little under 5,000 carats.

Also See: Horoscope Gems – List of Gemstones According to Horoscope

Which Type of Fire Opal is on Your List Now?

Though all opals are unique, the charismatic hue of fire opal gemstone has a different fan base, which authenticates its demand in the market. 

Knowing various types of fire opal gemstones will allow you to make more insightful choices in jewelry. So, choose your best fire opal and have a chunk of charisma in your ornaments collection.

Also, read how to take care of fire opal bracelets and how to clean fire opal bracelets to be more aware of this precious opal variety.

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