The recent eruption in fire opal jewelry and why everyone's obsessed
Fire opals are having a major moment right now. According to Google keyword data, searches for fire opal jewelry are up over 900% compared to this time last year. That’s not just a spike, it’s a full-on glow-up. Steeped in volcanic origins, this precious and fine opal is being talked about, and its popularity doesn't seem to be slowing down.
If you haven't started working with Mexican Fire Opal energy, right now would be the best time to start working with this energy because it's growing stronger cosmically, and it's growing stronger because more people are aware of it now. The more attention something has, the stronger it can manifest here in the natural world.
The recent eruption in fire opal jewelry can be attributed to a combination of factors, including its unique aesthetic, social media trends, and its symbolic meaning.
History
The history of Mexican opal stretches back to at least the 14th century, when the Aztecs were known to collect these vibrant stones. Even today, locals continue the tradition, extracting opals from open-pit mines, much like they did in the late 1800s.
What has evolved is the interpretation of the term "fire opal." In Mexico, any opal displaying play-of-color is often referred to by this name. However, it wasn't until the 1970s that German gem cutters began using "fire opal" to describe a different variety—transparent opals without play-of-color, showcasing vivid yellow, orange, or red body tones, ideal for faceting.
To bring clarity to the terminology, the gem world now distinguishes "precious Mexican fire opals"—those with both vibrant body color and play-of-color, typically cut as cabochons. Meanwhile, faceted stones lacking the spectral flash are simply called "Mexican fire opals."
In earlier times, deep orange to red varieties of fire opal—regardless of whether they had play-of-color—were often labeled "cherry opals." Beyond these, Mexican opals can be found in a wide array of hues, such as milky white, golden yellow, green, colorless "jelly" or "crystal," and even shades of blue or bluish white, known locally as "azul."
Rockhounding for Mexican Fire Opals:
There's no better place to learn about the opal formation and extraction process than straight from the source, Querétaro, Mexico. Querétaro is a real hot spot for Mexican fire opals, especially around Tequisquiapan and La Trinidad.
Fire opals, particularly those found in Mexico, are known for their vibrant orange to red color. In opal form, shimmering with flashes of green and yellow. These stones are considered semi-precious, with a Mohs hardness of just 5.5 to 6.5, meaning they require protective settings and gentle handling when set in jewelry.
Hiking and mining with experienced tour guides for about 2.30 hours, the activity includes learning about the regions' "flora and fauna". Flora and fauna phrases used to describe the plant and animal life of a particular region or period. Specifically, "flora" refers to all plant species found in a specific area, while "fauna" encompasses all animal species in that region. Together, they represent the biodiversity of an environment. Along the way, we picked up Oregano and ate grapes from a cactus tree.
Understanding the flora and fauna of an area is crucial for ecological studies, conservation efforts, and appreciating the natural heritage of the region.
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