Fire Opal

Opal

5.5–6.5Hardness (Mohs)

SiO₂·nH₂OChemistry

3Known origins & mines

Body-color orange-red opal, faceted like a flame. Mexico dominates: Querétaro's La Trinidad and Hidalgo's El Espíritu mines worked since Aztec times. Brazil's Pedro II and Oregon's Juniper Ridge add modern sources.

Known origins & mines

La Trinidad Querétaro · Mexico

Active mining · Legendary locality

Aztecs called it "vlixochitl" flower stone — La Trinidad near Tequisquiapan has burned orange fire opal since colonial times; facet-grade cl…

Pedro II Fire Opal Fields · Brazil

Active mining · Major source

Brazilian sertão sandstones host seam fire opal — Pedro II fields supply stable orange-red material that resists crazing better than Mexican…

Juniper Ridge Oregon · United States

Active mining · Minor occurrence

Oregon's wood-replacement fire opal glows salmon-orange through limb casts — American collectors prize its stability over Mexican hydrophane…

Mineral family: Opal

Precious Opal