When you gaze into the mystic Fire Opal, the colors change, blend, and merge to produce an enchanting experience. You get a stunning range of yellow, red, and orange ever-changing from every angle. You get lost in the aura.
Deep meanings and symbolism take the experience beyond the physical realm into the supernatural. Blessing you with feelings of healing and allowing you to process old wounds. The fire colors symbolize the new passion which can ignite your romantic relationships. This gemstone is powerful beyond measure.
| Fire Opal Color | Yellow, orange, red |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
| Hardness Scale | 5.5 – 6 on Mohs Scale |
| Mineral Class | Silicate |
| Symbolism | Good fortune, Healing |
What is Fire Opal
Fire Opal is a member of the Opal family. After silica-rich water drops into the veins and cracks of the Earth, the water will evaporate from the solution leaving behind the deposit. After 5-6 million years, an opal deposit may form.
The name of the Fire Opal comes from the shades and hues it comes in: yellow, orange, and red, resembling fire. In the gemological world, the most common name is ‘Mexican Opal’.
Opal comes in two forms, precious and common. Fire Opals are precious Opal as they contain iridescence, otherwise known as ‘play-on-color’. Iridescence is the natural phenomenon where the surface color changes gradually depending on the angle you’re viewing it. Common Opal does not contain iridescence.
Spiritually, Opal has been associated with positivity and bringing good luck to those that wear it. Connections to the mystic stretch back to the Mayans, who believed in the powers of the Opal.
Opal comes from the Ancient Greek word ‘opallios,’ which means ‘to see a change in color’.
Multifaceted in both appearance and immeasurable potential, the Fire Opal is a stone to behold, spiritually rejuvenating all those that bear it.
What does Fire Opal look like
All background colors are a shade or mix of yellow, orange, or red, appearing with different intensities and transparencies.
Most typically, polished into an oval or triangle shape before being faceted onto a piece of jewelry—popularly on rings, pendants, or cufflinks. Natural opal will often have a slightly irregular shape that shows off the beauty of nature.
Due to its relatively low price, healers often use large, highly polished oval-shaped stones.
The ‘Fire’ effect, otherwise known as incandescence, is a natural phenomenon caused by silica spheres. During formation, silica spheres pack into the gemstone. The tiny spaces between these spheres can trap air or water. When light shines through, the color appears to change.
History of the Fire Opal stone
Having large deposits in modern-day Mexico meant that the Aztecs and Mayans first discovered the gemstone. The name they gave to it was ‘the stone of the bird of paradise’.
Although the ancient civilizations first discovered the gem, it wasn’t until 1835 that more deposits were discovered and mined. For all of that time, it was essentially a forgotten treasure. With the advent of commercial mining, Fire Opal has been produced ever since.
The national stone of Mexico has deep spiritual meanings too. It’s said to promote love, passion, and prosperity. It’s hard not to feel an intense sense of passion when gazing into the red stone and seeing the changing colors.
Meaning of the Fire Opal stone
Like many other gemstones, Fire Opal has deep spiritual meanings that have existed and evolved for thousands of years. Throughout this time, good fortune has always reappeared in myths and legends for the crystal owners.
Fiery colors are related to the heart, particularly the red background. Fire Opal brings feelings of passion, fertility, and desire, helping us connect with our significant others. The ideal romantic crystal for lovers.
It is associated with cleansing your spirit of bad past events and experiences. Said to set the owner on a new path with increased ambition while increasing the divinity of their intentions.
Where does Fire Opal come from
Fire Opal is often called Mexican Opal in the trade as almost all of the world’s supply comes from Mexico. The largest deposits were found in Queretaro in 1835. Now Fire Opal mines are found in Canada, Ethiopia, Australia, and Turkey.
In the USA, the gemstone is mined in Oregon and Nevada. In Northwest Nevada, the Virgin Valley has large deposits of Fire Opals, where the public can go to learn about the mining process.
The same mining method is used today. A shaft is dug vertically down until you hit the ‘opal dirt,’ and then using hand tools you’d explore out from this point to discover Opal.
Synthetic Fire Opals have more recently started to be mass-produced, using resins and plastics. The imperfections and uniqueness make natural Fire Opal desirable, the way it makes you feel when you look into the gem and embrace the mysticism.
The price for Fire Opal range between a few dollars to over $5,000. The factors that influence the price are the presence of iridescence, the cut, carat (size), clarity, and transparency.
For which zodiac sign is Fire Opal?
Fire Opal is the zodiac birthstone of the Libra. Libras are peaceful, harmonious, and diplomatic, traits that make a great friend and romantic partner.
Fire Opal has powerful rejuvenating properties helping Libras regain energy. Often Libras will feel emotionally drained after being there for those around them. Fireopals allow them to re-energize and regain their full power.
People-pleasing is the toxic trait of the Libra. By harnessing the energy of the Fire Opal to become more confident and help awaken their inner fire, Libras can gain clarity and internal happiness.
Which family is Fire Opal from
As with all varieties of Opal, Fire Opal is part of the Silicate family. It is considered a mineraloid and not a mineral due to its high water concentration and not having its own crystalline structure.
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Frequently asked questions about Fire Opal
Fire Opal’s value ranges in price between $3 to $5,000 per carat, depending on the iridescence, carat, cut, and transparency of the gem. The most expensive Fire Opal is red, as it’s the rarest.
Fire Opal is said to be useful for many types of emotional repair, allowing acceptance, rebuilding, and creating new beginnings. Romantically, fire opal is said to increase passion and desire.
Fire Opal is the zodiac birthstone for Libra (September 24 to October 23). Perfect for those looking to rejuvenate, build confidence, or increase ambition. If you’re feeling low energy or lacking the inner fire in your relationship, a Fire Opal could be a perfect stone for you.
Opal has many colors and varieties. Fire means that the stone is red, orange, or yellow—the three colors of the Fire Opal.
