mineral
Mexican Cherry Opal (Polished)
Hydrated Silica (SiO2nH2O)
Hardness: 5.5-6.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Creamy white with brownish/tan spots; Luster: Waxy to vitreous; Crystal structure: Amorphous; Specific Gravity: 1.9-2.3
- Hardness
- 5
- Color
- Creamy white with brownish/tan spots
- Luster
- Waxy to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 5.5-6.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Creamy white with brownish/tan spots; Luster: Waxy to vitreous; Crystal structure: Amorphous; Specific Gravity: 1.9-2.3
Formation & geological history
Formed in volcanic environments where silica-rich water fills cavities and fissures in igneous rock. Most Mexican opals are associated with Rhyolite from the Tertiary period.
Uses & applications
Primarily used for lapidary arts, jewelry making, and as pocket stones or collector specimens.
Geological facts
Chetco and Mexican opals are unique because they often form within a 'matrix' of rhyolite, though this specimen has been carved and polished into a specific shape, likely a mushroom.
Field identification & locations
Look for a waxy, non-crystalline surface and translucent properties when held to light. Mexican varieties are frequently found in states like Queretaro and Jalisco.
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