The history of fire opal is just as fiery and intense as the gemstone itself. Fire opals are one of the most famous types of gems in the whole world. Its unmatched beauty and diverse colours make it a popular choice of gem for pendants, earrings, rings, bracelets and other statement pieces. But before we get into the historical archives, let’s take a look at the fire opal gemstone and what makes it so exceptional in appearance and quality.
There are some facts about fire opal that can help you understand its history. Fire opal is a transparent or translucent opal that is mainly formed in the depth of volcanoes or lava when the water gets trapped in the lava, giving it a beautiful yellow, orange or red pigment. The colour is created by the presence of iron oxide inside the opal. Fire opal is regarded as a typical sign of passionate love. The gem comes at different prices, but the red fire opal is the most expensive. Fire opal with a 5.5 to 6.5 rating on the Mohs scale (mineral hardness parameter) is susceptible to damage, which is why utmost care needs to be taken in order to retain the gem’s shine and quality.
The History of Fire Opal
According to many historians, the fire opal was discovered in 1345 AD by the Aztecs. They compared the colour of the stone with the colour of the wings or feathers of hummingbirds and gave this jewel a name, “the hummingbird stone.” In their language, they referred to it as “vitzitzil tecpatl.” Aztecs had a ritual of burying the stone along with the dead bodies and also used it in healing rituals. Several artisans at that time also utilised the stone to make attractive sculptures.
In the 1500s, when the Spanish attacked Mexico and invaded the civilization of the Aztecs, they learned about the various jewels the Aztecs used, which also introduced them to the vibrant and stunning fire opal gemstone. They brought back the fire opal gemstones to their Spanish king, after which the beauty of fire opal gemstones became known to the rest of the world.
Today, the fire opal gemstone is considered the birthstone of October. Also, its special pigment or colouration is regarded as a symbol of power, passion, affection, and love. In many wedding ceremonies, fire opals are used as engagement rings.
Also Read: How Can You Tell if a Fire Opal Is Real?
Different Types
There are two types of fire opal. The first one is common. Common fire opals can be of various colours, but only one dominant colour is found in the stones.
The second one is precious opal. Precious fire opal shows different colours in a single opal that looks very beautiful. It is what is classified as a “play of colours” in the world of opal. Unfortunately, precious fire opals are very rare in nature and cannot be found as abundantly.
According to another classification of fire opals, they are of three types- yellow, orange and red. The yellow and orange fire opals are somehow more translucent in appearance than red opals. On the other hand, red opals are opaque in appearance and rarer than the other two. This is one of the main reasons why red-fire opals are priced at exorbitant rates. These opals are also called ‘cherry opals’ as they look a lot like bright red cherries.
Also Read: How to Care for Fire Opals?
Nature’s Hidden Gem
The inimitable beauty of a fire opal gemstone remains unmatched. Even though this gem remained hidden as nature’s best-kept secret for years, it later became popular as a statement jewellery piece worn by both men and women. What most people do not know is that fire opals were rediscovered in 1835 in Mexico and they were found in the rock strata of different regions. Besides Mexico, fire opals have also been found in several other countries like Canada, Ethiopia, the USA, Turkey, Australia, etc. Some regions of Brazil have significant traces of fire opals with yellowish to orange pigmentations. Brazil has become a great trendsetter of fire opals today. Among the most popular cities of Brazil for fire opals, Buriti dos Montes and Pedro Segundo have the best deposits.
Also Read: Is Fire Opal a Durable Gemstone?
Uses of Fire Opal
Fire opals are used for many purposes, such as-
- Due to their stunning beauty and colour, fire opals are used as jewellery, pendants, earrings, bracelets, etc.
- In the present day, the fire opal engagement ring has become a popular choice among modern-day couples who wish to get something a bit more non-traditional to express their commitment with. Fire opal rings are an excellent option for those who want to try something different than the usual diamonds or sapphires.
- Fire opals are considered powerful gemstones that help boost the wearer’s confidence and charm. If you struggle with low self-esteem or have trouble expressing your thoughts to others, a fire opal gemstone can be your best support and guide.
Also Read: Which Metal Is the Best for Fire Opals?
Final Thoughts
The bright and beautiful fire opal gemstone has been around for centuries and the existence of this gemstone dates back to 1345 AD. The fire opal comes in mainly three shades: yellow, orange and red. The price of jewellery with fire opals can widely vary between USD 200 to USD 8000 according to the design and craftsmanship. It is best to consult a renowned and authentic gemstone retailer to get the exact price and transparency in quality. At Angara, cheque out the wide selection of fire opal rings that can be a wonderful gift for a loved one or can be the perfect way to indulge in yourself.
