Fire opal is the one that surprises people. They come in expecting a milky stone with rainbow flashes and instead find something that glows like a piece of sunset, clear orange or red right through. After fifty years setting stones I still find a good fire opal hard to put down. Here is what fire opal actually is, where it comes from, and how it differs from the opal you may already know.
What fire opal is
Fire opal takes its name from its body color, the warm yellow, orange and red of the stone itself, not from any rainbow on top. That is the key thing to understand. With most opal the body is a backdrop and the magic is the shifting play-of-color. With fire opal the warm body color is the whole point, and many fire opals show little or no play-of-color at all. Some do carry flashes of green and gold over that fiery base, and those are prized, but a clear, glowing orange stone with no rainbow is still very much a fire opal. For the bigger picture on how opal works, see my guide to understanding opal.
Where fire opal comes from
Most of the world’s fine fire opal comes from Mexico, where it has been mined for generations and was treasured by the Aztecs long before that. Mexican fire opal ranges from a soft honey yellow to a deep cherry red, and the rich reds are the most sought after. Ethiopia produces fire opal too, often bright and clean, and you will see some from Brazil and elsewhere. When a stone is sold simply as “fire opal,” it is usually Mexican.
Faceted, not just polished
Here is another way fire opal breaks the rules. Because much of it is transparent or translucent, it is one of the few opals that is often faceted like a sapphire or a tourmaline rather than cut as a smooth cabochon. A faceted fire opal throws light around in a way a cabochon cannot, and it suits anyone who wants the look of a bright colored gemstone with a warmth that is all opal.
Drawn to that warm glow? See the opal rings in my collection, or ask me about setting a fire opal you love.
Caring for fire opal
Fire opal is opal, so the usual rules apply: it is on the soft side at around 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, and it dislikes ultrasonic cleaners, sudden heat and long soaks. Some Mexican fire opal can also craze, developing fine surface cracks, if it dries out too fast, so it is happier worn and kept in normal household conditions than locked away bone dry for years. My guide to caring for opal jewelry covers the routine.
What fire opal is worth
As a rule fire opal is more affordable than fine play-of-color opal, which makes it a lovely way into opal. Price climbs with the richness of the color, with deep reds leading, then with clarity, and with the presence of bright play-of-color over the body. I dig into the wider picture in how much is opal worth.
Frequently asked questions
Does fire opal have play-of-color? Some does and some does not. The name refers to the warm body color, not to rainbow flashes. A clear orange stone with no play-of-color is still a true fire opal.
Is fire opal the same as Mexican opal? Most fire opal on the market is Mexican, so the terms often overlap, but fire opal is also found in Ethiopia, Brazil and a few other places.
Can fire opal be worn in a ring? Yes, with the same care any opal needs. Take it off for rough work, and keep it away from ultrasonic cleaners and sudden heat.
If a fire opal has caught your eye, I would be glad to help. Browse the current opal rings, or talk to me about a custom piece built around a stone you choose.
