Fire Opal, Understanding The Fire Opal Gem Stone


It is true that, more than 80% of the opal gem stone mined worldwide is opaque or transluscent. It therefore seems quite strange when you hear about a transparent opal gem stone. However, there is one type of opal mined in Mexico that has a high degree of transparency. This is the fire opal gem stone, a pale orange to dark orange-red gemstone that is named after it's flame-like 'orange' color. The term 'fire' in this case should not be confused with the word 'fire' used to describe other types of opal. If you use the term 'fire' to describe other types of opal, it would imply the color flashes that they show. However fire opal is named so, because of it's orange (flame) color.

One thing that is common to all types of opal including fire opal, is the presence of moisture in the gem stone. If you observe the color range in which fire opal is normally found, you will notice that light orange opal has a higher degree of transparency. Colors that move towards the darker side of the spectrum like reddish orange, are not as transparent. Unlike rubies, where blood red rubies are considered to be the best quality, there is no best color definition for fire opal gemstones. Some like fire opal with good transparency and therefore go for the light orange color. Others prefer the darker orange-red tones and go for fire opal with lesser transparency. In general, men's fire opal rings are generally made with the deeper fire opal gem stone colors.

Before we wind up this topic on fire opal being transparent, we should mention a few things about the fire opal gemstone. If you choose a fire opal ring or other jewel, remember that heat can destroy the gem stone. This is because heat could cause the gem stone to lose it's moisture. It is also true that fire opals do not enjoy a sudden change in temperatures. So if you walk out of a heated room, out into the cold you might want to make the temperature change gradual. You could perhaps, but your hand that wears the ring in your pocket, take a few steps in the cold and then remove your hand from your pocket.

You can see a perfect example of a transparent fire opal claddagh ring at this link:
http://www.claddagh-rings.com

The web page also provides useful tips on how to care for fire opal gem stone jewelry. The information will be very useful if you already own some fire opal jewel or are considering buying some. It always help if the buyer has better knowledge regarding the gemstone or jewel. You get more and longer satisfaction by understanding how to wear, store and clean a jewel or gem stone. And yet, very few jewelers care to provide complete information, they often fear that it would keep buyers away from buying their merchandise.

Article compiled by Ms.Saeng, senior gemstone advisor to www.claddagh-rings.com