Exceptional Fire Opal "Dragon Egg" - Mexico 23.22 carats - NO RESERVE PRICE - Height: 21.2 mm - Width: 17.4 mm- 4.64 g - (1)

Discover this exceptional 23.22-carat Mexican fire opal, a magnificent natural stone distinguished by its incandescent orange color, translucent core with amber-red hues, and superb mineral matrix in rosy tones.

This specimen has a particularly appealing composition: at the center of a natural salmon-pink matrix, a substantial opal window reveals luminous hues ranging from golden orange to deep amber and brownish red.

The colored area immediately catches the eye with its intensity and depth. Its left side reveals a warm orange, crossed by fine natural inclusions, while its right side displays richer amber-red hues, accompanied by particularly interesting variations in transparency.

The surrounding matrix forms a true natural setting. Its powder-pink, orangey beige, and light brown tones are dotted with numerous small mineral inclusions, creating a rich, authentic texture.

The transition between the translucent opal and opaque matrix forms irregular contours, bearing witness to the complexity of its geological formation.

Its generous oval shape, carefully polished, highlights this natural combination of colors and materials.

At 23.22 carats and measuring 21.2 × 17.4 × 9 mm, this opal has a remarkable presence and a particularly distinctive appearance.

Mexico, one of the most prestigious historic sources of fire opals, is renowned worldwide for its gems with incandescent colors. Specimens displaying beautiful color intensity, a clearly visible opal area, and a harmonious natural matrix are especially sought after for their aesthetic and mineralogical interest.

A sumptuous Mexican fire opal, whose incandescent orange core seems to imprison a fiery light within a delicate natural pink matrix.


Technical specifications


Name: Mexican fire opal in natural matrix
Type: Natural opal associated with its mineral matrix
Origin: Mexico
Weight: 23.22 carats
Dimensions: 21.2 × 17.4 × 9 mm
Shape: Oval
Cut: Polished cabochon
Main color: Incandescent orange and amber red
Secondary colors: Golden amber, brownish red, salmon pink, and orangey beige
Transparency: Translucent to semi-translucent opal, opaque matrix
Luster: Vitreous to resinous
Distinctive feature: Large central window of orange and amber-red opal, surrounded by a natural salmon-pink matrix rich in inclusions and mineral variations
Hardness: Approximately 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale
Treatments: Undetermined
Intended use: Gem collection, mineralogy, ornamental stone, and designer jewelry


Mexico – A historic and prestigious origin


Mexico holds an exceptional place in the history of fire opals.

For several centuries, this country has been considered one of the world's most iconic sources of these gems with their flamboyant colors.

Long before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors, Mesoamerican civilizations already knew and valued certain varieties of opal.

The Aztecs, in particular, used these stones to make ornaments and precious objects.

The luminous colors of these gems, evoking the sun and flames, gave them a distinctive identity among sought-after natural materials.

During the 19th century, Mexican opal mining expanded significantly, particularly in the Querétaro region.

This region gradually became one of the most famous historic centers for fire opal production.

Mexican deposits then yielded a remarkable diversity of stones, ranging from golden-yellow opals to vivid orange, orangey-red, and deep-red examples.

Other volcanic regions, particularly Jalisco, also contributed to the international renown of these gems.

Today, Mexican fire opals still hold a special place in the world of gemology.

Unlike many Australian opals, which are primarily famous for their multicolored play of color, Mexican fire opals are especially appreciated for their naturally intense body color.

Their hues can call to mind honey, amber, embers, or flames.

Examples displaying rich orange and red colors are particularly prized by collectors.

Specimens retaining their natural matrix have additional appeal, as they allow us to admire the relationship between the opal and its geological environment.

This magnificent 23.22-carat piece perfectly illustrates this mineralogical tradition.

Its incandescent orange core, surrounded by a salmon-pink matrix, creates a particularly expressive composition.

A stone from a legendary source, heir to an ancient gemological history and to the fascination that Mexican fire opals have inspired for centuries.

A fascinating formation in the heart of ancient volcanic lands

The origin of Mexican fire opals is closely linked to the volcanic history of the region.

Millions of years ago, significant volcanic activity helped form vast rock formations rich in silica.

Over geological time, silica-rich water circulated through fractures, cavities, and porous areas in these formations.

Under certain conditions, this hydrated silica gradually precipitated, giving rise to opal.

This natural process can take a long time and depends on many geological factors.

Temperature, the composition of mineral solutions, chemical conditions, and the structure of the surrounding rocks all play a role in the formation of deposits.

The characteristic orange, yellow, and red hues of fire opals are generally associated with the presence of iron compounds.

When opal develops in cavities or fractures, it may remain associated with the rock in which it formed.

This association gives rise to specimens in natural matrix.

In this piece, the central orange and amber-red area appears within a salmon-pink matrix.

Its irregular contours, variations in transparency, and numerous inclusions bear witness to the complexity of this formation.

The matrix also features small dark mineral areas, textural variations, and several visible inclusions.

These details are an integral part of the stone's geological identity.

A natural creation shaped by water, silica, and ancient volcanic forces, with every hue and inclusion telling part of its story.


Exceptional color – The intensity of incandescent orange


The most remarkable feature of this opal is its magnificent translucent central area.

This concentration of opal reveals a particularly warm palette of colors.

On the left, golden orange predominates, with remarkable luminosity and a multitude of small natural inclusions.

The color evokes amber illuminated by an intense light.

Toward the right, the hues gradually deepen.

The orange shifts into a rich amber red, accompanied by brownish-red areas and variations in transparency.

This color transition creates particularly appealing visual depth.

The irregular shape of the colored area further enhances the natural character of the composition.

Its contours feature small branching forms, variations in material, and several mineral areas that interrupt the opal's transparency.

These details give the stone a singular appearance.

The surrounding matrix provides a particularly harmonious contrast.

Its salmon-pink color, with a slight orange tint, stands apart from the lighter matrices frequently found in some fire opals.

It has a finely mottled texture, dotted with small dark inclusions and natural mineral variations.

The polished surface also reveals several small lighter areas and visible inclusions.

Together, they create a rich composition in which the softness of the pinkish matrix contrasts with the intensity of the incandescent orange core.

A remarkable color combination, in which the opal's fiery hues seem to emerge from a delicately nuanced pink mineral setting.

The beauty and uniqueness of fire opals in matrix

Mexican fire opals display exceptional diversity in color and structure.

Some stones are prized for their transparency, others for their color intensity or play of color.

Opals retaining their natural matrix hold a special place in this world.

They allow us to admire both the gem and part of its mineral environment.

This association gives them both aesthetic and geological interest.

Each specimen has a different arrangement of opal areas and matrix.

The shape of the colored concentrations, their contours, and their internal variations make each piece naturally unique.

This 23.22-carat opal stands out for the arrangement of its central area.

The orange and amber-red concentration appears like a luminous opening in the heart of a salmon-pink matrix.

The transition between the two materials is particularly interesting.

The opal's irregular contours create a natural boundary between the translucent areas and the opaque parts.

The numerous inclusions visible in the matrix enhance the specimen's mineralogical authenticity.

Its polished finish allows these details to be appreciated while highlighting the opal's colors.

Examples displaying a beautiful harmony between their colored area and matrix hold particular appeal for collectors of natural stones.

This piece is therefore a particularly appealing illustration of the diversity of Mexican fire opals.


A remarkable weight of 23.22 carats


At 23.22 carats, this opal has a generous weight and particularly harmonious proportions.

Its dimensions of 21.2 × 17.4 × 9 mm give it a well-balanced oval shape.

Its length of more than 21 mm allows the central opal area to be fully appreciated.

This concentration of color is the stone's main visual attraction.

The salmon-pink matrix naturally surrounds it, creating a particularly elegant composition.

Its 9 mm thickness gives it pleasing volume and a strong presence.

The polished surface makes it possible to observe the stone's different hues, its inclusions, and the transitions between the opal and its matrix.

The combination of its weight, dimensions, and natural composition gives it a particularly distinctive identity.

This opal could find a place in a natural gem collection or serve as the centerpiece of an original jewelry creation, subject to a suitable setting.

A collectible piece with singular charm

Mexican fire opals have fascinated people for centuries with their luminous colors and volcanic origins.

Their history, diversity, and natural characteristics make them particularly prized in the world of gemology.

This 23.22-carat opal has several remarkable aesthetic qualities.

Its incandescent orange core immediately catches the eye.

The amber-red hues add further depth to the colored area.

The salmon-pink matrix creates a delicate contrast, particularly harmonious with the opal's warm tones.

The numerous inclusions and mineral variations bear witness to its natural character.

Its oval shape and generous proportions allow the entire composition to be fully appreciated.

For a collector, this stone is an excellent example of Mexican fire opal in natural matrix.

It will particularly appeal to lovers of gems with intense colors, original structures, and historic origins.


Conclusion – A sumptuous 23.22-carat Mexican fire opal


This exceptional 23.22-carat Mexican fire opal, measuring 21.2 × 17.4 × 9 mm, stands out for its magnificent incandescent orange and amber-red core, delicately set within a natural salmon-pink matrix.

The depth of its colors, numerous inclusions, and variations in transparency give it a particularly captivating visual richness.

Its pinkish matrix, dotted with mineralogical details, creates a harmonious contrast with the opal's intensity.

Its Mexican origin places it within one of the most prestigious gemological traditions for fire opals.

The product of a geological history stretching back millions of years, this stone bears witness to the beauty and diversity of natural mineral formations.

A magnificent collectible piece, a true union of light, fire, and rock, whose incandescent colors, pinkish matrix, and generous proportions make it an exceptional Mexican fire opal.


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