Fire Opal in 950 Silver

AAA quality fire opal pendant from Jalisco, Mexico. Set in 950 silver. Soldered and wire-wrapped. 950 silver is purer than sterling silver, which is 925.

The Aztecs called the opal "vitzitziltecpatl," which means "hummingbird stone," because of its resemblance to the bird's plumage. They also called it "Quetzalitztlipyollitli," which translates as "bird of paradise stone."

Fire opal is formed by the slow deposition and solidification of silica-rich water in rock cracks or cavities, a process that occurs over thousands of years.

As the water evaporates and the silica gel dehydrates, microscopic spheres of silicon dioxide form, which arrange themselves into a three-dimensional structure, creating opal. The presence of iron gives it its characteristic reddish or orange color.

Stone size: approximately 2 cm

Pendant measurement: 3.5 cm long x 2.2 cm wide