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Cherry opal is a rare variety of common opal exhibiting a distinctive deep red to burgundy color caused by iron oxide inclusions within its amorphous silica structure. This gemstone, discovered in Mexico’s Magdalena region, displays a characteristic vitreous to resinous luster with a hardness of 5.5-6.5 on the Mohs scale.
The stone’s formation occurs in volcanic environments where silica-rich solutions penetrate iron-bearing host rocks, creating its unique chromatic properties through trace element incorporation. Cherry opals possess no play-of-color like precious opals, instead showcasing a solid, rich coloration that ranges from blood red to deep cherry, often with subtle brown undertones. Their internal structure contains 3-13% water content and microscopic spheres of silica arranged in a non-periodic pattern, contributing to their translucent to opaque appearance.
Cherry Opal is typically a natural gemstone.
Common names for Cherry Opal include Fire Cherry Opal, Red Cherry Opal, and Scarlet Opal.
Cherry opal, like other opals, generally has a hardness of about 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale. This makes it relatively softer than many other gemstones and somewhat susceptible to scratches and abrasion.
The refractive index of cherry opal ranges from approximately 1.44 to 1.46, which is typical for opals. This RI contributes to its captivating play of color.
Cherry opal exhibits a subvitreous to waxy luster, giving it a beautiful sheen that is slightly less shiny than the glassy luster seen in some other gemstones.
Opals, including cherry opal, typically do not have any cleavage. This means they do not break along well-defined, flat planes.
Cherry opals have a conchoidal fracture, which is a curved breakage that can resemble the shape of a seashell, common in more brittle materials.
The specific gravity for cherry opal usually lies between 2.1 and 2.2, which is somewhat lower than many other gemstones, making it lighter by volume.
Cherry opal is isotropic and does not show birefringence. This is because it is amorphous and does not have a crystal structure that leads to double refraction.
Cherry opal can display a notable level of dispersion or “”fire,”” which refers to the splitting of light into colors of the spectrum. This is particularly visible when the stone is moved under a light source.
Being an amorphous solid, cherry opal does not have a crystal system. Unlike crystalline materials, the atoms in an amorphous solid are not arranged in a regular pattern.
Cherry opal is characterized by its deep red to reddish-brown color, which can vary in intensity and saturation.
The transparency of cherry opal can vary from opaque to translucent. This variation affects the visual depth and color quality of the gemstone.
Cherry opal does not exhibit pleochroism due to its amorphous nature, meaning its color remains constant regardless of the viewing angle.
Cherry opal typically does not show fluorescence under ultraviolet light, which is a common characteristic of many opal varieties.
Cherry opal has fair to good toughness, making it relatively resistant to breakage from impact compared to other more brittle gemstones.
The tenacity of cherry opal is generally considered brittle, which is typical for opals, making them sensitive to pressure and harsh impacts.
As an isotropic gemstone, cherry opal has an optic sign of being uniaxial, which means it has a single optical axis.
Cherry opal does not commonly display a distinctive absorption spectrum due to its amorphous structure and uniform color properties.
Cherry opal is primarily composed of silicon dioxide (SiO2) with varying amounts of water content. This water content can affect the opal’s color, clarity, and overall stability.
Cherry opal does not typically exhibit chatoyancy or the cat’s eye effect, as this phenomenon requires a more structured composition like that found in chrysoberyl or tourmaline.
Like chatoyancy, asterism or the star effect is not commonly observed in cherry opal due to its amorphous nature and lack of inclusions that can reflect light to form a star pattern.
Cherry opal can exhibit iridescence, a play of lustrous rainbow-like colors, similar to what is seen in other types of opals. This effect is due to the diffraction of light by the tiny silica spheres within the gemstone.
Cherry opal is not magnetic. This is expected due to its chemical composition, which lacks magnetic elements.
Cherry opal is a poor conductor of electricity, consistent with its composition as a non-metallic mineral.
Cherry opal shows no significant levels of radioactivity, making it safe for use in various applications, including jewelry.
Cherry opal, with its distinct and vibrant coloration and captivating optical effects, remains a cherished choice among gemstone enthusiasts and collectors.
