| All opals are made of silicon dioxide and water. | | | | hot shades of a fire opal bracelet instead of the |
| The amount of water varies and determines the | | | | more commonly known pastel iridescent |
| fragility of the individual stone. This gemstone is | | | | gemstones. Just looking at it will lift her spirits and |
| formed when silicon dioxide becomes wet and | | | | energize her. Another special day reserved for |
| turns to a gel. This gel substance then works its | | | | this stone is the 14th wedding anniversary. After |
| way into the open spaces between rocks and | | | | all these years, the love is still burning strong. |
| caves. As it sets, an opal is formed. | | | | What better way to show this than with a |
| Typically, the gemstone retains about 10% water | | | | smoldering hot fire opal. |
| content which makes it quite soft and delicate. | | | | Cleaning and caring for jewelry |
| They also come in a variety of colors-shades of | | | | Because of the water content, this stone is very |
| blue, green, pink, black, white, red, yellow and | | | | delicate with a ranking between 5.5 and 6.5 on the |
| orange. This stone is coveted for its play of color | | | | Mohs scale of hardness. Because of this, protect |
| which is the dazzling display of color as light | | | | pieces from scratches and chips by storing them |
| bounces off the spheres of silica. | | | | in a soft jewelry bag away from other harder |
| The fire opal is one gemstone that is less desired | | | | pieces of jewelry. |
| for its play of color as it is for its actual color. As | | | | Fire opals and other varieties should be protected |
| the name implies, this stone is afire with reds, | | | | from sudden and extreme temperature changes |
| yellows and oranges. Finding a fire opal pendant | | | | as well as arid conditions that can dry the stones |
| with hot shades as well as play of color offers | | | | out. To clean them, use a very soft cloth and |
| the best of both worlds. | | | | gentle soap with tepid water to remove any |
| Where do they come from? | | | | residue. Because this gem is not durable enough |
| This fiery stone typically comes from Mexico. In | | | | for everyday wear, saving it for special events |
| fact, it is the country's official gemstone. Ancient | | | | means less cleaning as well. The polished look can |
| Mayans and Aztecs used the fire opal in their | | | | eventually wear away and may require |
| mosaic creations and also in special ceremonies. | | | | re-polishing. |
| While most of the gemstones on the market | | | | This hot gemstone looks spectacular in a |
| likely came from Mexico, there are other mines | | | | cabochon or a faceted cut, but it should be in a |
| located in the United States, South America and | | | | setting that protects the stone as much as |
| Australia among others. Most recently, significant | | | | possible. This is particularly important for pieces |
| deposits were found in Brazil and the stones were | | | | like a fire opal bracelet that tend to get knocked |
| of considerable size. | | | | around more often. Whether it is set in silver or |
| Special days for a special stone | | | | gold, this stone is on fire with its lava flow of |
| The opal is the birthstone for October. This is a | | | | reds, oranges and yellows. |
| great time to surprise a birthday girl with the bold | | | | |