The Introduction
Fire Opal Jewellery, commonly known as Mexican Fire Opal Jewellery, was first brought to public notice around the beginning of the 6th Century. Items such as Fire Opal Earrings, Fire Opal Pendants and of course Fire Opal Rings, were shown in Europe after the Spanish Conquistadors travelled through Mexico. They are lighter than other forms of opal and were originally known as “The Girasols” with reference to the Spanish word for “Sun Flower”.
In Mexico, the most popular region for the mining of this gem is called Queretaro. The Aztecs, Incas and Mayans, all were known to decorate these crystals in their jewellery styles, which is backed up by many artefacts being found around this area through time. Many of these ancient jewellery types were in fact, shaped in the vision of their “God of Death”, defined in the image of a “Feathered Serpent”.
Infamously, the writer Sir Walter Scott published what was called “Anne of Geierstein” (“The Mist Maiden”) in 1828, that included references to fire opals and its so-called links to some things evil and to that of death. These best selling published facts, were actually presumed to seriously cause a drop in fire opal jewellery popularity at that time, up to around that of an astonishing 50%.
Not until the early 1960′s did it make its immense comeback to the popular masses. Especially in Japan (where it still has the largest world market for fire opals) did it become more popular than all other gemstones, except those of diamond, ruby and sapphire.
Five Great Reasons
1. Fire Opal Colour
Fire opals most often only exhibit one show of colour. They are also said to be transparent or translucent and are known as “jelly” opals. They are found in yellow, orange and red variations only. Quite rarely, a fire opal that does show flashes of green from inside will be seen.
2. Legend Of Fire Opal
It was believed by the Ancient South Americans that this gem would bring about everlasting youth and beauty, similar in their beliefs to their “Bird of Paradise”. It also offered enormous success and happiness to the wearer.
3. Birthstone
For those of us who are indeed born in October, fire opals can be used to celebrate this.
4. Anniversary Stone Fire Opal
One gemstone used to celebrate anniversaries of 14 years is the Fire Opal.
5. Zodiac Sign
In astrology, Venus is the ruler over Libra, which in turn is also symbolically linked to the fire opal.
To Conclude
If you are indeed in the market for acquiring an item of “Mexican Fire Opal Jewellery”, then these days some of the most fashionable, and exquisite examples, in my mind due to the contrast between the rich orange colours of the gems and the base white of the metal, are those seen in such as White Gold Fire Opal Earrings, White Gold Fire Opal Rings and White Gold Fire Opal Pendants. This is expressed even more when using more valuable deep orange-red gems, some of which are known to be mined from Brazil, therefore, also known as “Brazilian Fire Opals”.
Because the stones that are present in Fire Opal Rings, for example, as well as all other sorts of Fire Opal Jewellery, are found to contain around 10% water. Therefore, they are fairly soft in nature and should be treated accordingly with a little extra care. They should be removed when necessary to protect them from knocks and scratches, extremes of heat, when swimming or washing, as well as obviously being cleaned and stored carefully.
The Mayas and Aztecs, referred to Fire Opal Jewellery as resembling their much revered “Bird of Paradise”. This and the facts that this gem was thought to offer its owner everlasting beauty, success and happiness, surely means no better reasons for the purchasing of these most beautiful of gemstones can be found.
Good luck in your quest.
John S Stewart suggests visiting Globe Jewellery today, for a fabulous range of Amethyst Rings and other Amethyst Jewellery. You could also follow them on their Globe Jewellery Facebook Page.
