Mexican Fire Opal Beads

Fire opal is a transparent, intensely colored form of opal that comes in shades of red, orange, and yellow. Mexican fire opal beads do not always display the play of color that is characteristic of white opal, yet they remain highly prized due to their intense coloration. Today, the fire opal is the national gemstone of Mexico. Mayas and Aztecs loved this gemstone and used it in mosaics and for ritualistic purposes. They called it “quetzalitzlipyollitli,” meaning stone of the bird of paradise.

Opals are hydrated silicon dioxide. Our Mexican fire opal beads are composed of natural Mexican fire opal in vibrant yellows, oranges, and reds. Some stones contain deposits of White Opal that display the characteristic play of color, or opalescence, that is often associated with opals. The Sanskrit word for precious stone, upala, is the origin of the word Opal.

In ancient times, fire opals were admired as symbols of love.