1.47 Ct. Orange Fire Opal (Flame Opal) from Mexico

This listing presents a transparent, natural Fire Opal, also known as a Flame Opal, weighing 1.47 carats. The stone is fashioned into a fancy shape with finished dimensions 7.96, 8.18, 6.54 mm. The cutting style is faceted, executed as a mixed brilliant cut to balance scintillation and depth of color. Clarity is graded as eye clean when viewed at normal eye level, and the piece exhibits intense color intensity and an excellent polish. The specimen is untreated, with no enhancement reported, and it originates from Mexico. The Natural Gemstone Company provides this gem with documentation of its natural state and the technical attributes listed here.

Optically, this transparent fire opal displays a saturated orange body color that is the defining characteristic of this material. The mixed brilliant cut places faceting to maximize light return and to showcase the stone core color rather than play of color. Because this fire opal is transparent rather than heavily opaline or play of color, the faceting strategy emphasizes brilliance and scintillation, creating lively internal reflections and strong color saturation across the table and crown. The excellent polish contributes to crisp facet junctions and a high degree of surface luster. The combination of transparency, intense color, and precise faceting makes the stone suitable as a focal gem in jewelry where consistent color and sparkle are required.

In terms of durability, natural fire opal typically registers between 5.5 and 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, and this specimen conforms to the general handling considerations for opal material. Opal does not exhibit true cleavage, but because of its microstructure and variable water content, it can be more susceptible to abrasion and impact than harder gem materials. Thermal shock and rapid temperature changes should be avoided to limit the risk of cracking. Ultrasonic and steam cleaning are not recommended for opal material in general, and exposure to harsh chemicals or prolonged immersion in solvents should be avoided. When set securely with protective design elements, this fire opal is well suited to daily wear. A bezel setting or a setting that shields the girdle and pavilion reduces the likelihood of chipping. Prongs may be used where appropriate, but additional protective margin or a low profile setting is advisable for rings that will be worn frequently.

For jewelry design and practical mounting, the stone dimensions and mixed brilliant proportions allow for predictable pavilion depth and faceting symmetry, aiding in secure seat design and delivery of optimal visual performance. Recommended settings include bezel and partial bezel styles for maximum protection, or widely spaced four prongs with a slightly raised margin for earrings and pendants where impact risk is lower. The warm orange hue pairs effectively with yellow gold to enhance the tone, and it also complements rose gold and sterling silver for varied design palettes. Given the eye clean clarity and excellent polish, the gem functions well as a center stone in rings, a prominent pendant, or matched as a focal pair for earrings when sourced in complementary pieces. The Natural Gemstone Company documents that this fire opal is natural and untreated, sourced from Mexico, and supplied with the quality and handling guidance appropriate for this material.