HistoryĪs early as 850 AD, Aztecs used the gem for creating mosaics, enhancing the power of religious rituals, and adorning those with high status in Mexican fire opal jewelry.Īfter Spanish conquistadors came to Central America in the 1500s, they brought these opals back to Spain, establishing them in Europe. Romans called opals “opalus,” after the Latin opis for “plenty.” They tied these gems to Ops, the wife of Saturn and goddess of fertility. Another Aztec nickname was vitzitziltecpal, or “hummingbird stone.”Įlsewhere in ancient times, Persians and Indians believed fire opals represented burning love. They called fire opal quetzalitzlipyollitli, meaning “the stone of the bird of paradise.” This name might reflect the eponymous flower’s vibrant colors or the ancient belief that only waters from paradise could produce fire opal. Mexican fire opal’s spiritual meaning was sacred to ancient Aztec and Mayan cultures. Mexican fire opal symbolizes pure inner joy, along with luck, success, and passion. More abstractly, what does Mexican fire opal symbolize? Matrix Fire Opal: Fire opals dispersed throughout the rock they grew inside of (their host rock).Ĭantera Opal: Mexican fire opal in matrix with speckled, pink rhyolite, cut into egg-like shapes.Ĭontraluz Fire Opal: Named from the Spanish for “against light,” a precious fire opal with play-of-color seemingly floating inside when lit from behind. Common fire opals (called simply “fire opals”) don’t show play-of-color. Precious (or noble) fire opals display iridescent color flashes called play-of-color. The major types of fire opal are common vs. Luminescence: Usually fluorescent Inert to moderate Greenish-brown in SW-UV and LW-UV Here are the remaining Mexican fire opal properties:Ĭolor: Orange, yellow, red, brown, or a combination of these Opalescence, a hazy glow that appears inside opals, is absent in fire opals. Most opals are 5.5-6.5 on the Mohs mineral hardness scale, but fire opals are 6-6.5. Traces of iron create the Mexican opal’s signature colors.īesides transparency and cut, other traits that distinguish fire opals are their hardness and lack of opalescence. Fire opals are typically 3-10 percent water. Like all opals, fire opals are mineraloids, meaning they look like minerals but don’t have crystal structure or consistent composition.Īll opals are hydrated silica, though their water content varies. Mexican Fire Opal Specifications & Characteristics A Mexican fire opal necklace makes the perfect gift! Know someone celebrating an anniversary? Opals are the traditional commemorative gem for the 34th wedding anniversary, along with an alternative gemstone for the 12th and 14th anniversaries. As a zodiac stone, fire opals are lucky for Aries. Is fire opal a birthstone? Yes, fire opal is a mystical April birthstone, and an alternative to the traditional opal October birthstone. Red fire opals are sometimes called “cherry opal,” while bright yellow specimens have the trade name “sun opal.” Today, we’ll tell you all the meanings, properties, and lore that make fire opals such a special gemstone.įire opal is a semi-precious gemstone with autumn hues. Is Mexican fire opal rare? Compared to most opals, the fire opal variety is rare, but they’re fairly common compared to rarer gemstones. They’ve even named it their national gemstone! Mexico is the most important and abundant source of fire opals. Unlike most opaque and unfaceted opals, fire opals are translucent to transparent and typically faceted.Īre Mexican fire opals real? Yes, fire opals form naturally! The Mexican fire opal gemstone is a red to yellow opal variety set apart by its unique transparency and cuts.
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