All Blue Opals are made of silica and water. The amount of water varies and determines the fragility of the individual stone. This gem is created when silica gets wet and turns into a gel. This gel mass then finds its way into open spaces between rocks and caves. As it solidifies, opal is formed.
The gemstone usually retains about 10% water content, making it quite soft and delicate. They also come in different colors - shades of blue, green, pink, black, white, red, yellow and orange. This stone is sought after for its play of colors, a dazzling display of color when light reflects off the silica spheres.
Fire opal engagement rings is a gemstone that is less sought after for its play of colors than for its actual color. As the name suggests, this stone burns red, yellow and orange. Finding a fire opal pendant with both warm hues and play of colors offers the best of both worlds.
Where do they come from?
This firestone usually comes from Mexico. In fact, it is the official gem of the country. The ancient Mayans and Aztecs used fire opal in their mosaic creations as well as in special ceremonies. While most of the gemstones on the market probably came from Mexico, there are other mines located in the United States, South America, and Australia, among others. Significant deposits have recently been found in Brazil, and the stones have been of considerable size.
Special days for a special stone
Opal is the keystone of October. It's a great time to surprise the birthday girl with the bold, warm hues of a fire opal bracelet instead of the more commonly known pastel iridescent gemstones. Just looking at it lifts her spirits and gives her energy. Another special day reserved for this stone is the 14th wedding anniversary. After all these years, the love is still strong. What better way to show that than with a smoldering hot fire opal.
Jewelry cleaning and care
Due to its water content, this stone is very soft with a rating between 5.5 and 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. For this reason, protect the pieces from scratches and chips by storing them in a soft jewelry bag, away from other harder jewelry.
Fire opal bracelets and other varieties should be protected from sudden and extreme changes in temperature as well as dry conditions that can dry out the stones. To clean, use a very soft cloth and mild soap with lukewarm water to remove any residue. Because this gem is not durable enough for everyday wear, saving it for special events means less cleaning. The polished look may wear over time and may require re-polishing.
This hot gemstone looks spectacular in a cabochon or facet cut, but should be in a setting that protects the stone as much as possible. This is especially important for pieces like the fire opal bracelet, which tend to get knocked around more often. Whether set in silver or gold, this stone is on fire with its lava flow of red, orange and yellow.
No comments:
Post a Comment