What are Mexican fire opals?
The Mexican Fire Opal is named for its brilliant red to orange body color which is partly due to iron oxide. Mined in Mexico, this opal is lighter weight than other opal. These Mexican Fire Opals tend to have one body color and do not usually contain the flashes of light and color typical of other opals.
What are Mexican fire opals good for?
The Mexican fire opal has many positive attributes to bring to the life of its wearer. Physically, it is said to have the power to heal the lower back, kidneys, and can stimulate sexual organs. Mentally, the fire opal is said to be a wonderful stone for those people who are shy and lack self-confidence.
What is a Mexican opal?
Mexican Opals are known for their vivid yellow, orange or orange-red colors. The intense color has earned this gem the nickname fire opal. But it makes up for this with its remarkable body color. It is the few varieties of opal that can successfully be faceted, as some specimens can exhibit considerable transparency.
Where do Mexican fire opals come from?
Fire opal is mined in the Mexican states of Queretaro, Hidalgo, Guerrero, Michoacan, Julisio, Chihuahua and San Luis Potosi. The most significant deposits were discovered in Queretaro in 1835, and are still producing today. Small quantities of this gem can also be found in Oregon and British Columbia.
Are Mexican opals valuable?
– As per the rule, Mexican fire opal in vivid orange and red colour are the most valuable, while the paler cream, yellow or brown tend to be less expensive. The top quality, orange-red Mexican Cherry Opal always commands the highest market value due to its intense and uniform body hue accompanied by good clarity.
Are fire opals real opals?
What is Fire Opal? Fire opal is any specimen of an opal gemstone that naturally displays a dominant red, orange, or yellow color. There are different types of fire opal that vary in play-of-color, background color, and origin. And fire opals are amorphous mineraloids that comprise hydrated silica (SiO2·nH2O).
Can Mexican fire opals get wet?
Myth: Water damages solid opals. Never clean your opal with water or get your opal wet. The opal will expand and crack. Fact: Solid opals cannot be damaged by getting wet.
What is Mexican Fire opal made of?
silica
These Mexican opals are said to form in the depths of ancient volcanoes. The fire opal is created when water seeps into the silica-enriched lava and fill its seams and hollow areas. Under the magnitude of the heat and pressure of the volcano, the lava trapped the water within itself.
What are the properties of a fire opal?
Fire Opal Properties. Fire Opal is the name used for the colorful, translucent to transparent Opal that has a background color of fire red, orange, or yellow. It can also exhibit a play of color when the stone is turned under a light source.
What is the value of a fire opal?
The value of a fire opal is based upon the desirability and uniformity of its color, with yellow being on the low end of value and red being on the high end. Transparent stones are preferred over translucent stones.
What is the meaning of a fire opal?
The fire opal is also said to be able to help those who have just suffered from abusive relationships. As the stone is said to be able to heal and relieve memories of rape, incest and sexual abuse, it also encourages positive and healthy sexuality and relationships. Fire opal symbolizes joy of the heart.
What is fire opal jewelry?
Fire Opal – The Birthstone of October. Fire Opal Jewelry captures the intense orange hues of a rising sun on a hazy Summer morning. Not to be confused with Australian opals, Fire Opal is from Mexico, and displays a brilliant solid orange color.