Opal

Opals are a wonderful gem because the individual opal has all the colors of the rainbow. The inclusions are described as flashes, sparks, or flames of light, playing along the surface of the opal. The finest variety of opal, called the Harlequin Opal, has multicolored flakes throughout the gemstone; while, the Mexican Opal are more transparent with patches of coloring. However, the Fire Opal also comes from Mexico which has but one color: a fire-like red. Unfortunately, the range of "fire-like" red ranges into yellow. Opals are mined soft and brittle then harden due to exposure; eventhough the most hardened opal may still chip, many of them are cut for settings.