OpalOpal.com Presents

MEXICAN OPAL ROUGH AND CABS

Click Here to visit our CONFETTI OPAL™ Page to see Mexico's newest opal material

Click Here to visit our Cantera Opal Page which we are currently building with listings.

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We have Mexican Opal Rough and Cabochons in two forms.  We have a limited amount of the Canterra matrix opal rough and a limited amount of the fire opal rough.   We have progressive photos of a Canterra Opal Cab in the making below and photos of the CANTERRA OPAL CONTEST on the contest page.

ALL IMAGES CAN BE ENLARGED BY CLICKING ON THE PHOTO

Be sure and check the BARGAIN BASEMENT PAGE.  WE SOMETIMES HAVE MEXICAN OPALS THERE AS WELL.

WE HAVE MANY NEW FACETED RED OR CHERRY OPALS TO LIST, SEVERAL NEW CABOCHONS IN UNUSUAL COLORS FOR MEXICAN OPALS AND LOTS OF OTHER NEW MEXICAN OPALS THAT ARE NOT YET POSTED ON THE WEB SITE.  IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ONE OF THESE ITEMS, SEND US AN EMAIL AND WE WILL DO PHOTOS JUST FOR YOU.   WE ALSO HAVE SEVERAL NEW SMALL FIERY CABOCHONS TO LIST, SO IF YOU DO NOT SEE WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR CONTACT US, WE MAY HAVE WHAT YOU WANT.

Call us at 719-836-2143 or send an email to inquire to:

goldrush@starband.net

We have jewelry with Mexican Opals on some of our jewelry pages.   Check out Jewelry to Go.  We have Mexican Opal beads on our Beads Page.  You can also see custom jewelry that we have created with Mexican Opals on our Custom Jewelry Page.

Mexican Opal Cabochon Soft Honey Fire $ 711

Mexican Opal Cabochon Soft Honey Fire $ 711

An unusual large high domed honey crystal with play of color in reds, greens and golds.  The play of color shows more prominently against background colors other than white.

• 4.74 carats

• 13.97 mm x 9.13 mm x 6.55 mm

• The base is a light yellow crystal with play of color in greens, reds and golds dancing through the high domed cabochon.

Mexican Opal Cabochon Fire Orange $ 145

Mexican Opal Cabochon Fire Orange $ 145

A bright orange Mexican opal cabochon with bright green, red and yellow play of color in red, orange, green with a small amount of yellow.

• 0.965 carats

• 8.61 mm x 6.58 mm x 3.28 mm

• Bright orange crystal base with red, orange, green with a small amount of yellow play of color

Mexican Opal Cabochon Bright Orange $ 200

Mexican Opal Cabochon Bright Orange $ 200

Bright Orange Opal Cabochon with bright play of color in greens, red, orange and gold.

• 1.38 carats

• 7.66 mm x 6.88 mm x 4.68 mm High dome

• Bright orange base with bright multi color play of color.

Mexican Opal Cabochon One $ 280

Mexican Opal Cabochon One $ 280

Light Golden Mexican Opal Cabochon in one of the hard to find larger sizes.

• 5.635 carats

• 13.95 mm x 11.69 mm x 6.33 mm

• A crystal golden base

Mexican Opal Cabochon Three $ 178

Mexican Opal Cabochon Three $ 178

Mexican Opal Cabochon three is a nice ring sized cabochon   in a sought after red color.

• 3.55 carats

• 14.59 mm x 8.09 mm x 4.96 mm

• Red crystal cabochon

Mexican Opal Cabochon Four $ 370

                                                                                           Side View

Mexican Opal Cabochon Four $ 370

Mexican Opal Cabochon Four is a beautiful very high domed almost apricot colored cabochon that does have a some play of color. 

• 7.41 carats

• 12.47 mm x 10.93 mm x 9.22 mm Very high domed

• A lighter golden orange that is almost apricot in color that does show some play of color

Mexican Opal Cabochon Five $ 63.00

Mexican Opal Cabochon Five $ 63.00

This is a deep orange opal cabochon that does show some play of color.

• 1.23 carats

• 7.89 mm c 6.95 mm x 4.53 mm

• A deep orange cabochon with a small amount of play of color.

Mexican Opal Cabochon Six  $ 134

Mexican Opal Cabochon Six  $ 134

This is a Mexican Opal Cabochon has a nice ring sized oval shape. 

• 2.67 carats

• 16.8 mm x 9.03 mm x 3.12 mm

• A nice golden orange color

Mexican Opal Cabochon Seven $ 75

Mexican Opal Cabochon Seven $ 75

Mexican Opal Cabochon Seven is a translucent deep red opal cabochon.

• 1.49 carats

• 9.66 mm x 7.67 mm x 3.57 mm

• A translucent Mexican Opal Cabochon in a deep red color

Mexican Opal Cabochon Eight $ 134

Mexican Opal Cabochon Eight $ 134

A pale golden color Mexican Opal Cabochon in a hard to find larger size.

• 2.65 carats

• 12.54 mm x 8.83 mm x 4.42 mm

• A pale golden crystal color

Mexican Opal Cabochon Nine $ 60

Mexican Opal Cabochon Nine $ 60

A deep red/orange Mexican Opal Cabochon that shows a little green play of color.

• 0.79 carats

• 8.72 mm x 6.15 mm x 2.47 mm

• A deep red/orange crystal base

Mexican Opal Cabochon Ten $ 130

Mexican Opal Cabochon Ten $ 130

Mexican Opal Cabochon Ten is a bright yellow/orange cabochon in a nice ring size.

• 2.59 carats

• 12.97 mm x 8.30 mm x 4.14 mm

• A bright clear yellow/orange cabochon

Mexican Opal Cabochon Twelve $ 35

Mexican Opal Cabochon Twelve $ 35

Mexican Opal Cabochon Twelve is a red/orange crystal base.

• 0.695 carat

• 7.92 mm x 5.88 mm x 2.77 mm

• A red/orange crystal base

Mexican Opal Cabochon Thirteen $ 88

Mexican Opal Cabochon Thirteen $ 88

This rich orange Mexican Opal Cabochon has some color zoning and a darker orange "diagonal" streak.  There is a small amount of play of color in the cabochon as well.

• 1.75 carats

• 11.65 mm x 8.11 mm x 3.31 mm

• A rich orange color zoned base with a slight amount of green play of color.

Mexican Opal Cabochon Fourteen $ 135

Mexican Opal Cabochon Fourteen $ 135

Mexican Opal Cabochon Fourteen is an almost clear opal that has a nice rainbow of soft colors visible within the opal.  These color were difficult to photograph, but they are there.

• 1.79 carats

• 8.90 mm x 7.53 mm x 4.53 mm High dome

• An almost clear base with a soft rainbow of play of color within the opal

Mexican Opal Cabochon Fifteen $ 180

Mexican Opal Cabochon Fifteen $ 180

Mexican Opal Cabochon Fifteen is a golden orange cabochon that is almost a perfect circle.  There is a small amount of play of color in the cabochon.

• 3.59 carats

• 9.85 mm x 9.9 mm x 6.83 mm High Dome

• A yellow orange cabochon with a slight amount of play of color

Mexican Opal Cabochon Sixteen - $ 130

Mexican Opal Cabochon Sixteen - $ 130

Mexican Opal Cabochon Sixteen is a reddish orange opal cabochon in a great ring or pendant size stone.  There is a small amount of red and green play of color in this cabochon.

• 2.62 carats

• 12.26 mm x 7.67 mm x 4.75 mm

• A reddish orange base with a small amount of red and green play of color

Mexican Opal Cabochon Sixteen - $ 88

Mexican Opal Cabochon Sixteen - $ 88

Mexican Opal Cabochon Sixteen is a reddish orange cabochon with a tiny spot of red play of color. 

• 1.75 carats

• 10.36 mm x 8.83 mm x 3.34 mm

• A reddish orange base that shows one dot of red play of color

Mexican Opal Cabochon 18 - $ 140

Mexican Opal Cabochon 18 - $ 140

Mexican Opal Cabochon 18 is a near round clear cabochon which shows a nice rainbow of color against a background other than white.  Against a white background as above, the colors are visible to a degree.

• 1.88 carats

• 9.21 mm x 9.44 mm x 3.90 mm

• A clear base with a nice rainbow of play of color in the cabochon

Mexican Opal Cabochon 19 -  $ 260

Mexican Opal Cabochon 19 -  $ 260

Mexican Opal Cabochon 19 is a golden to mid orange large high domed cabochon with some amount of play of color. 

• 5.08 carats

• 13.60 mm x 10.68 mm x 5.70 mm

• Golden to mid orange base in a high domed cabochon that does shows play of color

Mexican Opal Cabochon 20 - $ 63.00

Mexican Opal Cabochon 20 - $ 63.00

Mexican Opal Cabochon 20 is a rich orange/red base that may have a tiny bit of color.

• 1.25 carats

• 8.55 mm x 7.15 mm x 3.89 mm

• A orange/red base that may have only a tiny bit of play of color

Mexican Opal Cabochon F

Mexican Opal Cabochon F - $ 21.00

Mexican Opal Cabochon F is a pale gold to clear fire opal with color zoning.  There is green fire and a little red fire.

• 0.50 Carats approximately

• 6.93 mm x 5.16 mm 2.50 mm

Mexican Opal Cabochon J HOLD

Mexican Opal Cabochon J - $ 30.00

Mexican Opal Cabochon J is a pale gold almost round cabochon that is almost round.  There is red and green fire that will show in the cabochon over a dark background.

• 0.75 Carats approximately

• 6.66 mm x 6.06 mm x 3.01 mm approximately

Mexican Opal Cabochon L

Mexican Opal Cabochon L - $ 30.00

Mexican Opal Cabochon L is a bright gold cabochon with red and green fire over a dark background.

• 0.68 Carats Approximately

• 7.07 mm x 5.8 mm x 2.90 mm Approximately

Mexican Opal Cabochon DD

Mexican Opal Cabochon DD - $ 144.50

This cab is more honey colored than it appears to be in the photo. There are nice blue and green "flecks" of  color that appear to be floating on the surface.

• 2.89 Carats

• 10.75 mm x 8.95 mm

Mexican Opal Cabochon HOLD

Sun Spot Mexican Opal Cabochon - $ 38.00

            On black                       On gold              On silver                  On white

Sun Spot Mexican Opal Cabochon - $ 38.00

Sun Spot Mexican Opal Cabochon is a great little Mexican Opal for an accent on your next project.  Notice that the color looks different depending on the background.

• 0.155 carats

• 3.5 mm x 1.76 thick

• Bright orange base with nice display of fire

Mexican Opal Cabochon

Fire Globe Opal Cabochon - $ 45.00

             On black                     On gold                 On silver                  On white

Fire Globe Opal Cabochon - $ 45.00 SOLD

Fire Globe Opal Cabochon is a lovely small rich orange cabochon.   A great accent opal for a jewelry piece or for an earring single.

• 0.255 carats

• 3.60 mm x 2.80 thick

• Bright rich orange

Mexican Opal Cabochon

Sun Fire Mexican Opal Cabochon - $ 45.00 SOLD

             On black                  On gold                     On silver                On white

Sun Fire Mexican Opal Cabochon - $ 45.00 SOLD

Sun  Fire Mexican Opal Cabochon is rich high domed orange opal cabochon with some fire.  A great accent for a jewelry piece or large enough to stand on its own is a ring or small pendant.

• 0.61 carats

• 5.65 mm x 3.15 thick

• Rich orange with some fire

Mexican Opal Cabochon

Slice of Orange Mexican Opal Cabochon -

$ 53.00 Reduced to $ 26.50

             On black                    On gold                 On silver                   On white

Slice of Orange Mexican Opal Cabochon -

$ 53.00

A bright orange freeform cabochon with a little bit of fire.   A clear area is in one corner with some fire.

• 2.635 carats

• 12.97 mm x 8.90 mm x 3.79 mm

• Orange base with a little bit of fire in one corner clear area

FACETED STONES

The stones below are faceted Mexican Fire Opal some are clear, some are translucent.  Some of these stones demonstrate the "contra luz" coloration that these stones can possess, some do not.  If you want additional information about any of them please call or email and we will get the answers for you. 

WE HAVE LOTS OF FACETED OPALS TO LIST ON THE SITE IN CALIBRATED SIZE OF 6 MM X 8MM AND 8 MM X 10 MM IN ORANGE/REDS AND REDS.

MF80016

Facetted Mexican Fire Opal

0.19 Carats - 4.40

$ 7.00

MF80017

Faceted Mexican Fire Opal

0.20 Carats - 4.26 mm

$ 7.00

Cantera Opals

In Spanish "cantera" means "block of stone."   The cantera opals are opals in matrix.  The matrix is usually rhyolite which varies from shades of rose colored stone to creams and browns.  This material will contain bits of opal that vary in size from quite small to fingernail sized pieces.   The larger pieces of opal from the matrix are generally removed and made into cabochons, these are the fire opals.  The smaller pieces are left in the matrix and sold as Cantera Opal rough or cabbed and sold as Cantera Opal cabochons.

We can supply Cantera opal rough or cantera cabochons.

CANTERA OPAL ROUGH

This rough should be considered "mine run."  There are frequent cracks in the rhyolite matrix and in the fire opal inclusions. We only have a limited amount of this material at this time. 

50 grams - $ 25.00

A CANTERA CAB IN THE MAKING

We have a series of photos of a Cantera opal in the before (rough), during (in the middle of being worked) and the after (finished cabochon) stages.  I picked out a parcel of rough of roughly similar pieces of Cantera Opal to use in our Cantera Contest.  Then I gave Doc the most difficult one from that parcel to work.    This is the way the rough piece looked before he started.  (All of these images are "clickable" to a larger version.)  The rough piece measured 21.49 mm x 20.78 mm and was 9.53 mm thick on one side down to 0 on the other side. 

Doc did his rough shaping on a 100 diamond grit waffle grid lap and then a 150 even grit lap.  He said the matrix is relatively tough.  Doc dabbed the cab on a nail using brown wax as he frequently does.  This is the way the cab looked when the rough shaping was complete. 

Doc then worked the cab through a series of diamond grit laps  at 325, 600, 1200 .  After ALL scratches were removed he polished the cab on a lap with diamond compounds first in 14,000 grit and then 50,000 grit.

The finished cab looks pretty good.  The cab ended up with tiny bits of fire between the clear opal and the matrix that were not visible in the rough.       The finished cab is a freeform near round that is approximately 15.9 mm in diameter and 2.62 mm thick.

Gold Rush Jewelry, Bead and Art Company
P.O. Box 635 Fairplay, CO 80440
719-836-2143

You are welcome to call us. These numbers ring at our home and studio which are located in the same place. Just place your call at some reasonable hour for our time zone which is Mountain Time in the United States. You may also contact us by email at any of the addresses below.

goldrush@starband.net

opal@opalopal.com

sales@opalopal.com

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