Fire Opal vs Orange Sapphire: What’s the Difference?

With their gorgeous bright hues, fire opal and orange sapphire easily attract attention wherever they go.

In today’s article, we’re going to highlight the major differences between fire opal and orange sapphire and discuss which one may be a better choice for you.

Natural vs Lab Grown Gemstone

Fire Opal vs. Orange Sapphire: The Key Differences

1. Color

Fire Opal: Fire opals get their color from the iron oxide impurities present within their chemical structure. They can be found in several hues, which include yellow, red and orange.

Orange Sapphire: Depending on the amount of iron and chromium present in its chemical structure, this exotic gem can be found in multiple shades ranging from yellowish-orange to reddish-orange.

Shop Fire Opal Jewelry

2. Symbolism

Fire Opal: Because of its bold appearance, fire opal is generally associated with love, passion and power. Considering this beautiful symbolism, it’s probably no surprise that opal rings are the perfect option for promise and engagement rings.

Speaking of fire opal engagement rings, at Angara, we’ve got multiple options for you to choose from. You can also customize the gemstone quality and carat weight here along with the type of metal used to create your piece. This ensures that you wind up with a stunner that both you and your lady love will adore.

Of course, if fire opals aren’t your woman’s thing, we also have several other customizable opal engagement rings. Simply pick the beauty that highlights her personality and watch her fall in love all over again.

Orange Sapphire: The deep, luxurious shade of this gemstone is often used to represent wealth and wisdom. So, the next time you’re in the market for a sapphire jewelry piece that highlights your intelligence in a subtle way, don’t forget to make a beeline for the orange sapphire station. Trust us, you won’t regret it!

Shop Orange Sapphire Jewelry

3. Durability

Fire Opal: This gemstone is less durable than orange sapphire and has a rating of 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. Having said that, opal has no gemstone cleavage (a feature that can cause a gem to break at particular spots if dealt with a hard blow). As such, while the stone may require a little more love and attention, it can still be flaunted during special events and occasions.

Orange Sapphire: With a rating of 9 on the Mohs scale, orange sapphire is one of the most durable gemstones present today. This has made it a popular option for a variety of jewelry, including engagement rings.

Now, before you say anything, we already know what you’re gonna ask – ‘Where do I get an orange sapphire engagement ring from?’ Our answer: From Angara, of course! From romantic three-stone beauties to jaw-dropping vintage-inspired designs, we’ve got something for everyone here.

And our options don’t even stop at orange sapphires! Apart from these drool-worthy beauties, we also have several other colored sapphire engagement rings within our collection. So, regardless of your girl’s vibe, we bet you’ll find a stunner that’ll make her happy.

4. Rarity

Fire Opal: This gem is one of the rarest variations of opal present today. It’s primarily found in Mexico; however, the stone can also be mined in different parts of Australia, Honduras, Peru, Mexico, Ethiopia, Brazil and the western US.

Did You Know?

The most significant fire opal deposits were found in 1835 in Queretaro, Mexico and are producing even today.

Orange Sapphire: Similarly, this gemstone is an exceptionally rare variation of sapphire and can only be found in certain parts of Africa and Sri Lanka.

IMO, this fact makes orange sapphire jewelry the perfect partner for the one-of-a-kind you. Don’t believe it? Flaunt it and see for yourself!

5. Clarity

Fire Opal: For the most part, fire opals are either transparent or translucent in nature. Apart from this, they tend to have several naturally occurring flaws, which can appear in the form of chips, fractures and pieces of sandstone. Here, the more visible the flaws are, the less valuable the gemstone will be.

Orange Sapphire: Because of the immense pressure under which they’re formed, most orange sapphires tend to have needle-like inclusions and tiny crystals within their structure.

Orange Sapphire vs. Fire Opal: Which One Should You Choose?

That completely depends on your requirements. Fire opal is a good option for anyone who wants to flaunt a reasonably-priced charismatic gemstone during special occasions. On the contrary, if you’re looking for a sturdy gemstone that’s sure to garner attention, then orange sapphire is definitely the one you should invest in.

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter whether you pick a fire opal jewelry piece or an orange sapphire one… What matters is how confident your sparkler makes you look and feel. So, treat yourself to the gem that makes you shine and watch as compliments roll in.