It is said that the name opal came from the Greek word ‘Opallios’ which means to see a change of color. Interestingly, opals are formed from rain and usually contain 10-20% water. As the water runs down through the earth, it collects in the cracks inside rocks. Most of the water then evaporates and forms a silica deposit that eventually turns into opal.
Mexican fire opal is named after its brilliant orange to red color. Mined in Mexico, this opal is lighter in weight than other types of opals. These opals have one body color and do not contain flashes of light like the other opals. Aztec and Mayan people believed that the fire opal was created in the heavens. The orange color of a fire opal comes from the iron content within the stone. The most highly prized fire opals are in fact transparent and have a play of color within the stone. Always beautiful and rare, these stones are spectacular.
Loose Mexican Fire Opal Gemstones
Mohs hardness: 5.5 – 6.5 / 10
You will also like: orange sapphire
Looks great in: yellow gold / white gold / platinum / silver
