Photograph: Los Cabos Guide

People have been fascinated by opals, and especially by the fire opals of Mexico, since prehistoric times. The Aztecs used them for decorative purposes, and people have been incorporating them in jewelry ever since. Every so often a really spectacular piece of vintage Mexican silver jewelry with a gorgeous fire opal comes up for sale in an auction or at a gallery. If you love this stone, why not learn more about it? Here are several good places to start:

Mexican Opal Safari:  Take a tour of the opal mining area near Queretaro, Mexico and look at some beautiful opal specimens.

Mexican fire opals by Don & Collen Graham: an article that gives a good concise overview of these gem stones.

Mexican Fire Opals:  from Los Cabos Guide, has photographs, history, and other interesting information about Mexican fire opals.

Opal Identification & Value by Paul B. Downing is the “must have” book for all appraisers, opal buyers and opal lovers. It will help you learn to properly identify opals from all over the world. See below: