Water opals and fire opals come from the same mining locations, but they have different names because fire opals are not colorless. Their body color is red, orange or yellow like the color of fire. Transparent to semitransparent opals that display a play-of-color or none at all and that have a colorless or near-colorless body color are called water opals in Mexico.
The term “fire opal” is confusing because some opal dealers refer to “play-of-color” as “fire,” a term used by diamond dealers for the dispersion of white light into spectral colors. Dispersion and play-of-color are two separate optical phenomena. Since “fire” is often used in the trade to also mean play-of-color, some assume that all fire opals have play-of-color. However, most fire opals have none. This is an exceptional fire opal because of its play of color which increases its value. Water opal with play of color like this one are also more highly valued than water opals with no play of color.
Most fire opal is from volcanic areas in Mexico containing silica-rich rhyolite and iron, which gives fire opal its orange and red colors. The states of Querétaro, Nayarit and Jalisco are primary sources, but fire opal is found in many other states, too. Fire opal is also found outside of Mexico in Brazil, Tanzania, Madagascar & the state of Oregon in the U.S..
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An entire chapter on fire opal is in my Exotic Gems: Volume 2 book. www.reneenewman.com/exotic2.htm
Guest articles by Renée Newman:
https://gem-spectrum.com/category/renee-newman
Articles about JCK:
https://gem-spectrum.com/tag/JCK
About the author:
Renée Newman is a gemologist (GG, GIA), lecturer, writer and author of 15 books on gems and jewelry. Her goal is to provide consumers and jewelry professionals with unbiased, affordable information on how to buy, evaluate and appreciate gems and jewelry. She can be reached through her website:
