A ferrule assembly for a fiber optic connector, comprising: a ferrule (14', 14") comprising a first end, a second end (26', 26") opposite the first end along an optical axis, a ferrule bore extending between a first opening of the first end and a second opening (23', 23") of the second end (26', 26"), and an end face (20', 20") disposed at the second end (26', 26"); an optical fiber absorptive to at least one wavelength, the optical fiber disposed in the ferrule bore of the ferrule (14', 14"), wherein at least a portion of the end face (20', 20") of the ferrule is absorptive to the at least one wavelength such that the ferrule (14', 14") is made from a material or material composition that has the same or similar thermal energy absorption characteristics as the optical fiber; and an optical surface (18', 18") formed by thermally forming both at least a portion of the end face (20', 20") of the ferrule (14', 14") and an end portion of the optical fiber by simultaneously exposing the end face (20', 20") of the ferrule (14', 14") and the end portion of the optical fiber to a laser beam of the at least one wavelength emitted by a laser; characterized in that the ferrule (14', 14") comprises an absorption gradient of ferrule material at the at least one wavelength disposed along a radial axis of the ferrule (14', 14") between an outer perimeter of the ferrule (14', 14") and an inner portion of the ferrule (14', 14"), wherein the gradient of ferrule material is less absorptive or not absorptive to the wavelength or wavelengths absorptive by the optical fiber in outer portion (110, 110') from the second opening (23', 23") towards the outer perimeter of the ferrule (14', 14"). a ferrule (14', 14") comprising a first end, a second end (26', 26") opposite the first end along an optical axis, a ferrule bore extending between a first opening of the first end and a second opening (23', 23") of the second end (26', 26"), and an end face (20', 20") disposed at the second end (26', 26"); an optical fiber absorptive to at least one wavelength, the optical fiber disposed in the ferrule bore of the ferrule (14', 14"), wherein at least a portion of the end face (20', 20") of the ferrule is absorptive to the at least one wavelength such that the ferrule (14', 14") is made from a material or material composition that has the same or similar thermal energy absorption characteristics as the optical fiber; and an optical surface (18', 18") formed by thermally forming both at least a portion of the end face (20', 20") of the ferrule (14', 14") and an end portion of the optical fiber by simultaneously exposing the end face (20', 20") of the ferrule (14', 14") and the end portion of the optical fiber to a laser beam of the at least one wavelength emitted by a laser; characterized in that the ferrule (14', 14") comprises an absorption gradient of ferrule material at the at least one wavelength disposed along a radial axis of the ferrule (14', 14") between an outer perimeter of the ferrule (14', 14") and an inner portion of the ferrule (14', 14"), wherein the gradient of ferrule material is less absorptive or not absorptive to the wavelength or wavelengths absorptive by the optical fiber in outer portion (110, 110') from the second opening (23', 23") towards the outer perimeter of the ferrule (14', 14").