When you are shopping for fire opal jewelry, the most important value factor to consider is the quality of the fire opal. Born in the fire of Mexico's volcanoes, fire opal's natural bright orange is unmatched in the gem kingdom. The more vivid and bright the orange hue, the more valuable the fire opal. Unlike most opal, fire opal is faceted and has brilliance as well as that bright day-glo orange color. Cut is more important than clarity, since fire opal often has a welcome haziness that actually increases the vibrancy of its color.

Because all Gemvara jewelry is made to order, we can hand-select fine-quality fire opal to perfectly suit your design.

What is the meaning of fire opal in the language of gems? Fire opal symbolizes the union of opposites: fire and water. Fire opal forms when water seeps into silica-rich red-hot lava, filling seams and hollows. Under heat and pressure, the silica forms a solid gel, trapping the remaining water within its structure. Small pebbles of fire opal are found embedded in lava flows.

Opal is the October birthstone and the 14th anniversary gem.

With a color that complements most metals, fire opal jewelry is crafted in sterling silver, white gold, yellow gold, and platinum. Because the bright orange hue of your fire opal jewelry will catch the eye, you will want to match the color of fire opal earrings or a fire opal necklace closely to the color of a fire opal ring.

Fire opal, like all opal, has high water content. As a result, it should be protected from heat and prolonged exposure to strong light, which could dry it out. Fire opal jewelry should be protected from scratches when not being worn and rings should be removed during heavy activity. Clean fire opal jewelry with mild dish soap: use a soft brush behind the stone where dust can collect.

Gemvara's fine quality fire opal jewelry is designed to be passed down for generations to come, crafted by hand in the United States.

With a little care, your fine jewelry will keep its good looks forever. The best way to clean your jewelry is by soaking it in a bowl of warm water with a few drops of ordinary dish detergent. If needed, use a soft brush where dust and soap can collect. Then just rinse and pat dry with a soft cloth.

You won't have to clean your jewelry as often if you put it on after applying hairspray, perfume, and cosmetics. Be sure to remove your jewelry before strenuous activities like sports. Keep jewelry away from chlorine and other household chemicals. Always make sure it is dry and clean by wiping with a cloth before putting it away.

To protect the beauty of your jewelry, don't keep it in a tangle in a jewelry box. Remember, gems can scratch metal or each other. When you travel, make sure your jewelry pieces don't rub against each other in your bag. Store each piece separately or wrap each one in tissue paper or a soft cloth.

We want you to love your Gemvara jewelry, so we offer a 101-day no-questions-asked return policy. If you aren't satisfied with your unique Gemvara jewelry creation for any reason, you can send it back in its original unworn condition for a full refund. Each returned piece must have its original tag attached, so leave the tag on until you are sure you love it. If you love it but it doesn't fit, no problem: we offer one free resizing as well.

We stand behind our exceptional American-made quality with a one-year warranty on the craftsmanship of our jewelry. Because the earth is precious too, we make our jewelry from conflict-free gems and recycled precious metals.

We're so convinced that you will love the Gemvara experience, we make it even easier by offering free shipping too. (We're all about making more happy customers. Also have we told you how nice you look today?)

If you have any questions at all about our unique jewelry customization process, our products, or an order you've placed, give us a call at 1-800-436-8803, click to chat, or email us at customer-care@gemvara.com. You'll see for yourself why our customers rave about our personal service.