MX Gemstones found here: Mexico
22 deposits listed · 9 species catalogued
Known origins & mines
La Trinidad Querétaro · fire-opal
Aztecs called it "vlixochitl" flower stone — La Trinidad near Tequisquiapan has burned orange fire opal since colonial times; face…
Pachuca Green Obsidian Flows · obsidian
Aztec obsidian capital: Sierra de Pachuca green glass made sacrificial knives and trade blades exported across Mesoamerica from Te…
Simojovel Amber Mines · amber
Chiapas highland amber worked since pre-Columbian Maya times - golden fossil resin with exceptional clarity and insect inclusions.…
Durango Apatite Caves · apatite
Cerro de Mercado iron mine caves grew famous yellow-brown apatite crystals — the mineralogical standard specimen locality worldwid…
Las Vigas Veracruz · amethyst
Mexican amethyst crystallizes free-standing points in volcanic vugs rather than geodes — slender scepter clusters prized for speci…
Sea of Cortez Pearl Oyster Beds · pearl
La Paz banks made Mexico a pearl legend until overfishing closed them in 1936; Guaymas' "Perlas del Mar de Cortez" now cultivates …