Fire opals: the origin and properties of noble minerals

The stones used in jewelry business, as a rule, have their own history. Sometimes they are accompanied by legends. One of the most expensive and appreciated by the masters of minerals is fire opal, the photo shows how fascinatingly beautiful this stone is.

Mineral deposits

Its rich deposits are found in the USA, in the countries of South America, Hungary, Czech Republic, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Russia (Kamchatka and Transbaikalia) and Japan. But not always they are suitable for their quality for making jewelry. Often stones contain flaws, but beautifully refract light. Nevertheless, in ancient times in India, Persia and the Indians, they were considered a symbol of great love. Maya and the Aztecs used fire opals to create mosaics. They were decorated with objects of everyday life and places of worship of the gods. They called it the stone of a bird of paradise.

Mineral is mined in Australia and Mexico, where it is recognized as the most valuable national stone. Its deposits are found among volcanic rocks, basalt, marl, rhyolite, limonite, sandstone. There are very large sizes. For example, with the fist of an adult male.

Colors of Fire Opal

Its color is very beautiful, fire opal can be bright orange, yellow, flame red. Less common is a light brown shade. Stones are divided into transparent or translucent. Connoisseurs loved the golden, warm light that they radiate. Therefore they are also called "golden opals".

Stone structure is soft. But the masters of jewelry can create real works of art. They frame it in such a way that one does not have to worry about the strength of the product (rings, bracelets). Opals are divided into opalescent (they are processed in the form of cabochons) and costly opalescent fire opals, they are appreciated more due to their color and play of light. One look is enough to love them. They are subject to faceting only if they have transparency. At the same time they are processed taking into account the play of light in order to preserve all the beauty.

A stone can change over time. Much depends on the place where it was found. The mineral that was mined in a drier place will last longer. He will be more durable.

Characteristics of opal and care for it

There are fiery opals of silica with a large share of water (it can be from three to twenty-one percent). They belong to mineraloids. Unique color is achieved through the admixture of iron. With long wear of jewelry with them, they can grow old and grow turbid from the impact of the environment. They are affected by artificial light, they are susceptible to high temperatures, acids, alkalis, and they can be scratched with a sharp object. Some problems can be eliminated. For this, the stone needs to be polished. If he loses the moisture contained in it, he can be lowered for some time into water and this operation should be repeated periodically.

One of the beliefs calls fire opals stones, bringing happiness. They evoke a sense of harmony and have a beneficial effect on the psyche. As in ancient times, so now these precious stones are at the peak of fashion. Inserts of noble opals adorn jewelery: pendants, earrings, brooches and rings.