![]() ![]() ![]() Thus, displaying differing light and color spectrums to the naked eye. As light bounces off the mass, the light also exits the stone at varying angles. Post-contact light-ray directions are variable, depending on the density and size distribution of the siliceous material at any given portion of the stone. When light contacts an opal stone, its rays change direction. In fact, the finest specimens of precious opal come from Australia, whereas the finest specimens of common opal are from Mexico. And although opal is mined from all parts of the planet, it is most abundant in Australia, Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Honduras, and Ethiopia. Modernly, consumers can find fire opal in most gem, crystal, and jewelry stores or street markets around the world. And cutting should be done by a professional gem handler, using the appropriate diamond blades, cooling liquid, and polishing oils. Clean fire opal by gently applying a dry or wet microfiber cloth in a circular motion, using trace amounts of dish soap and warm water, followed by a proper rinse. ![]() Avoid vibrations, rapid temperature changes, and friction that can cause surface pits and internal hairline fracturing. To care for fire opals, store each specimen in a container with felt lining, and keep it from contacting other hard surfaces. Overall, most fire opal stones are rare when comparing to the other available natural colors.įire opal with play is generally rarer than this green opal stone. For instance, the specific appearance of one red opal stone, coupled with the demand for certain color combinations can make one fire opal gemstone rarer than another one. However, there are also face-value aspects about a specific stone, that can further define its rarity. And the composition of larger silica spheres in an opal stone is due to a less common depositional environment. To illustrate, opal stones reflect a red color when white light refracts upon sections of larger silica spheres. Is Fire Opal Rare?įire Opal is rare compared to other colors because of its chemical structure and depositional environment. Additionally, the opal mines have variable production rates based on output, which also plays a strong part in the worth of opal. For instance, the worldwide demand for the gemstone can be influenced by the current events of the country it is mined from. Moreover, there are market-driven factors that influence values based on current events. Overall, a fire opal stone’s worth depends on its color, appearance, and the price someone is willing to pay for it at will. How much is Fire Opal Worth?įire opal specimens can vary in worth from $10 per carat to $10,000 per carat. A fire opal is valuable depending on the overall appearance of the gem, such as the presence of internal play, base coloration, translucence, and brilliance. ![]() Is Fire Opal Valuable?įire opal is valuable and frequently reaches high prices in the international gemstone market. Today, Fire opal stones are still popular and highly marketable for their range of coloration, dazzle, iridescence, as well as their associated beliefs of cultural and spiritual properties. In fact, there was even an “opal rush” in the 1900s. Historians understand that the high demand and cultural value of opal continued from the Bronze Age, through the eras of Ancient Greece and the Roman empire, and into the Middle Ages. In fact, the Ancient Romans called it “opalus” meaning “precious stone.” And it is presumed the Romans were the first to truly monetize opal types. But the marketing demand for opal has been captivating buyers and traders since the eras of the Roman Empire. Other major mining operations exist in Australia, Mexico, and the United States. Some regions of modern-day Ethiopia are reportedly the earliest mining locations for Fire Opal, and currently remain an abundant source. History and Culture of OpalĪs indicated by archeological discoveries, historians believe opals were first mined in East Africa, at or around the Bronze Age. Thus, fire opals do not classify as minerals, nor are they considered sedimentary, igneous, or metamorphic rocks. Opal itself lacks the structural organization necessary to form crystals. And fire opals are amorphous mineraloids that comprise hydrated silica (SiO 2 There are different types of fire opal that vary in play-of-color, background color, and origin.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |