hardness (Mohs’ scale): 5.5-6 specific Gravity (s.G.): 1.97-2.06 Refractive index (R.i.): 1.435
CODE
61Fo aoRD 61Fo aoRF 61Fo aoRh
on the bench
WoRkinG With FiRe opal Fire Opal is a soft stone and can easily be damaged by pressure and impact. The type of setting used is important. A rub-over setting will protect the stone more whereas a claw setting will expose the stone’s edges leaving it vulnerable to damage. The softness of Fire Opal makes it ideal for carving, but care must be taken as it can be quite brittle.
iDentiFyinG FeatuRes
Fire Opal is transparent to translucent, and can occur in shades ranging from brownish-yellow, to orange and red. If the stone displays play of colour, these iridescent colours usually change as the stone is tilted.
PRODuCT Fire Opal
Fire Opal Fire Opal
crystal system: none-Amorphous chemical composition: Silica
ShAPE Round
Round Round
SIzE (mm) 3.0
4.0 5.0
£/EACh 18.90
25.73 40.84
pRoDuct Focus FiRe opal
Fire Opal is an orange-red variety of Opal which may or may not show a play of colour.
3.0
4.0
5.0
FluoRite
hardness (Mohs’ scale): 4 specific Gravity (s.G.): 3-3.2 Refractive index (R.i.): 1.43-1.44
CODE 61Fl Rc10 61Fl oc18
PRODuCT Fluorite
Fluorite
crystal system: Cubic chemical composition: Calcium Fluoride
Fluorite is a decorative gemstone which can occur in a variety of translucent to transparent colours. It is sometimes banded, where each band could be a different colour.
For rings & settings on the bench see the ring section on paGe 96
SIzE (mm) 10.0
10 x 8
£/EACh 5.71
5.07 10x8 10.0
WoRkinG With FluoRite
Fluorite’s perfect cleavage and softness makes it extremely fragile, and should be handled with care. It is not usually seen as faceted pieces, but more often carved or fashioned into beads and cabochons.
If heated, Fluorite will expand and could break along it’s cleavage planes, so always remove Fluorite from jewellery before soldering and polishing.