Hi Dancing Horse;
I stand corrected. My confusion comes from the description often given
of precious opal having a “play of fire” when it should read “play of
color”. According to “Gemstones of the World” by Schumann;“Fire opal is
named after its orange color…The best qualities are clear and
transparent which makes them suitable for being faceted. They are very
sensitive to every stress. Deposits are found in Mexico, as well as
Brazil, Guatemala, the United States, and Western Australia”.
No doubt the ones you come in contact with through the trade are the
top of the line fire opals.
Thank you, R.McArthur