Teardrop-shaped Oregon (USA) fire opal cabochon, 14×10 mm. Translucent caramel orange with depth effect when backlit. Flat back. Unique piece selected from a wholesale lapidary market.
Piece Details
| Mineral |
Fire Opal (SiO₂·nH₂O, hydrated opal) |
| Dimensions |
14×10 mm, approx. 3–5 mm height. Variation of ±0.2 mm. |
| Shape and Back |
Teardrop, flat back |
| Finish |
Mirror polish |
| Hardness |
5.5–6 Mohs — we recommend a closed bezel setting to protect the edge |
| Origin |
Oregon, USA |
| Treatment |
Untreated |
| Piece Type |
Unique piece |
This Specific Piece
The teardrop shape adds visual movement that an oval lacks: the rounded end at the base and the point at the top create a silhouette that draws the eye upwards — which, in a pendant, with the point facing up, creates a sense of suspension.
The teardrop silhouette works well for a pendant or earring; the goldsmith constructs the bezel to adapt to the piece. There are no standard preformed bezels for a specific teardrop size — each mounting is custom-made or adjusted.
How Fire Opal is Formed
Opal is hydrated silica (SiO₂·nH₂O) with an amorphous structure — without the ordered crystalline lattice of crystalline minerals. The orange color comes from iron oxides incorporated during deposition in volcanic deposits. The Oregon deposits are located in rhyolitic formations of volcanic origin.
For Which Mounting It Works
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Teardrop bezel pendant (925 silver) — the goldsmith adapts the bezel to the exact dimensions of this piece. The silhouette works well with a bail at the upper point (elongated pendant) or with a bail at the wide end (water drop).
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Occasional wear statement ring — possible with a high-wall bezel that protects the ends of the teardrop; opal with 5.5–6 Mohs hardness requires additional protection in rings.
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Wire wrap — the teardrop shape is one of the classics for wire wrap; the point facilitates the closing of the wrap and the natural suspension point of the pendant.
Fire Opal in Lapidary Tradition
Fire opal was called vitzitziltecpal (hummingbird stone) by the Aztecs, who valued it for its fiery tones and used it in mosaics and ritual ornaments.
In crystal tradition, fire opal is associated with creativity and vitality. The symbolic properties attributed to minerals belong to cultural and historical traditions. They are shared for educational purposes, not as medical advice or a substitute for professional care.
How to Recognize Genuine Fire Opal
The translucency of genuine opal is characteristic: the orange intensifies when light passes through it, something that dyed glass does not reproduce with the same depth of color. With a magnifying glass, the surface of natural opal may show internal curvilinear microfissures (crazing, a phenomenon of hydrated silica) that confirm the nature of the material.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this opal have play-of-color?
No. It is a body color fire opal — translucent orange without the multicolor iridescent effect of precious opal. The value of this piece lies in its translucency and the warmth of the orange.
What orientation is recommended for a pendant?
It depends on the design. Point up (bail at the point): elongated pendant, more stylized. Point down (bail at the wide end): water drop silhouette. Both are technically viable with an adapted bezel.
Has it been treated?
Untreated. The orange is the natural color of the opal — iron oxides in its silica structure.
Why is it a unique piece?
The teardrop shape, the exact tone, and the distribution of translucency are specific to this opal nodule. No two pieces are identical.
Are the dimensions exact?
14×10 mm with a variation of ±0.2 mm. The teardrop profile may have slight irregularities at the ends — verify with calipers before ordering the mounting.
How is it cared for?
Sensitive to dehydration and impacts. Soft, slightly damp cloth — never ultrasonic or steam. Store padded. More at jewelry care.
See also: cabochons collection · silversmithing · wire wrap.
