World Class Fire Opals Mined Near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

We all know that Puerto Vallarta, Mexico is athe same latitude as Maui, Hawaii, the climate is
world famous resort destination and retirementperfect for growing many fruits and vegetables.
haven. We also know that just about all of theOne example being mangos, where Mexico is the
Mexican Riviera cruise ships make Vallarta athird largest exporter of mangos in the world.
normal port of entry providing the visitors withNow that we know the area around Vallarta is
numerous fun and exciting things to do, sights torich with mineral and agricultural wealth, let’s
be seen, side tours to be taken, beautiful beachestake it a step further. It just so happens that
to enjoy, etc., but few tourists ever really get toapproximately a dozen distinct classifications of
know the area, customs, and local history.minerals with hundreds of varieties exist in Mexico.
Puerto Vallarta is located in the state of Jalisco;As an example, the silicates class alone, contains
the third largest state in Mexico with the Capitalmore than 60 different minerals such as jadeite,
of Guadalajara which is the second largest city inzircon, topaz, and quartz, a subgroup of which
Mexico. The greater metropolitan area ofincludes amethyst. The carbonates class consists
Guadalajara (including Zapopan, Tonala, andof bismutite, calcite, magnetite, dolomite, etc. while
Tlaquepaque), has a population of approximatelythe sulfates class has gypsum, barite,
4,000,000 residents, thus making it about thecuprotungstite, etc.; many of these minerals being
same size as Los Angeles, the second largest cityused for industrial applications. Finally, the
in the US. Puerto Vallarta is the second largestmineraloids class which contains amber, obsidian,
city in Jalisco with a population of 350,000 people,and opal; minerals that are frequently carved,
nestled in the Sierra Madre foot hills along theground, cut, and polished for objects of art,
shoreline of Banderas Bay on the Pacific Ocean.jewelry, etc.
At 3,000 feet deep, Banderas Bay is one of theMany of these minerals, including most opals,
deepest natural bays in the world with the Sierrawere formed during the Cretaceous period and
Madre Occidentals to the north, the Sierra Madrebrought to the Earth’s surface during the
Del Sur to the south, and the Trans NationalPleistocene age. Of the 25 or so varieties of
Volcanic Axis Range to the east. All three ofopals, the fire opal is the only naturally faceted
these substantial mountain ranges converge atopal and the most significant fire opal deposits are
Banderas Bay, where more than 60 million yearsfound in Mexico. One of the two largest sites for
ago when dinosaurs roamed the Earth, thesemining the Mexican fire opal, which just so
mountain ranges were formed as the planet‘shappens to be the “national gemstone of
crust changed forever. Much more recently, onlyMexico”, is located near Magdalena, Jalisco; a
about a million years ago during the Pleistocenesmall city located approximately 100 miles east of
age , volcanoes erupted in the region exposing aVallarta that can be visited from PV during one of
land rich in mineral wealth containing vast depositsthe ten hour day tours. Magdalena is in a region
of gold, silver, lead, zinc, copper, tin, andladen with igneous rocks, obsidian, volcanic lava,
The word opal was derived from the Romanand more than 300 opal mines.
word opalus (to see a change of color) as theyMexican fire opals consist of silicon dioxide or silica
popularized the opal around 100 BC and prized thisspheres arranged in an orderly pattern with iron
gemstone above all other precious stonesoxide dispersed throughout. It’s the iron oxide
believing the holder to be charmed with goodthat gives the Mexican fire opal its distinctive
fortune. The Mexican fire opal, sometimesbrilliant flame-like colors of yellow, orange, and red.
referred to as cherry opal, precious fire opal, sunThe three most important attributes of the fire
opal, girasol (Spanish for sunflower), andopal are body colors, transparency, and play of
Quetzalitzlipyollitli (gemstone of the bird ofcolor (differing colors when viewed from various
paradise) by the Aztecs, was used by the Mayasangles). The greater the play of color, the more
and Aztecs during the past millennium for ritualisticprecious the gemstone. Because most opals are
purposes and in various mosaics. Today,not faceted, they are generally displayed in the
connoisseurs say that fire opals bestow courage,cabochon form. However, since fire opals are
stamina, will-power and energy on the wearer;often found naturally faceted, they can be cut,
the warm, fiery orange-red colors are said topolished, and mounted as cabochons or faceted
have a positive effect on the psyche and conveystones.
a profound sensation of warmth, peace andOpal is the lucky stone of those born under the
harmony.hundreds of other minerals. As a result,Aries sign and it is the birthstone of Libras. For
Mexico became the world’s leading producerthose of us fortunate retirees in Vallarta that
of silver for centuries and has only recently fallenhappen to be Libras, we’re able to obtain
to second position in the world. A great portion ofthese spectacular birthstones virtually in our
the Mexican silver has been mined in this region“back yard”. For those of you visiting
within a 100 miles of Vallarta.Vallarta and just want to possess one of these
Due to the rich volcanic soil, all tequila in the worldprized gemstones, there are numerous fine
comes from this area in Jalisco. With plenty ofjewelry stores in town; a number of which
tequila, there was also a mood for music andspecialize in Mexican fire opals.
dancing! Consequently, in this area within 100 milesNow that you have a better appreciation for fire
of Vallarta, Mariachi music evolved (a symbol ofopals and where they come from, you’ll have
the Mexican Revolution) as did the Mexican Hatone more reason for visiting and or retiring in
dance (the Mexican national dance).Puerto Vallarta; the most magnificent resort
Much of the rich soil in the Vallarta region is alsodestination on the Mexican Riviera, where brilliant
ideal for farming and with the location being onfiery sunsets and opals abound.