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The gem with the flash fire colors of the skies - rainbows, lightning, fireworks - was believed by ancient Arabs to have fallen from the heavens in flashes of lightning. The Orphanus opal in the Holy Roman Emperor's crown was described as "pure white snow flashed and sparkled with the color of bright ruddy wine, and ... overcome by this radiance."
Fine opal demonstrates a panoramic color. Opal that displays red will display the colors in the entire spectrum, and so it is the most desired. Napoleon Bonaparte gave "The Burning of Troy" with its red flashes, to his Helen, the Empress Josephine. The play of color pattern most desired is Harlequin with red, yellow and green angular pieces like those in a clown's costume.
The brilliant oranges and reds of fire opal reflect the hot pulsing of volcanic magma. Looking like dark nights ripped by lightning's electric colors, the most dramatic black opals are appropriately mined in Australia's Lightning Ridge.
Your Hyde Park Jewelers professional will assist you in selecting an opal to capture your own firestorm of color.
World Sources
Australia, Mexico, Indonesia, South America, Tanzania & Ethiopia
Enrichments
Color play is sometimes intensified by the use of oils, dyes, wax or carbonized sugar solution
Care
Clean only with warm, soapy water; avoid heat, abrupt temperature changes, strong alkalis & hydrofluoric acid
Repair
Remove from setting before repairs involving heat
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