Opal: Sierra Madre Purple

Opal opulence takes on a striking new hue with Sierra Madre purple opal. Luminous opal takes on a royal purple base color thanks to the presence of fluorite during the formation of this stone.

The development of this gemstone started millions of years ago, far beneath the Sierra Madre Mountain Range of Central Mexico, when a mixture of silica and water flowed into cracks and holes in the ground. Deposits of fluorite infused with the silica, giving Sierra Madre purple opal its unique and outstanding color. Over time this mixture hardened and solidified, transforming into a luminous purple opal gemstone. Sierra Madre purple opal has an incredible natural hue. Unlike other opals which diffuse more light and show more dramatic opal fire, this opal's beauty is found more in its depth of the color and subtle opalescent glow. The name opal evolved from the Roman word "opalus" which traces its roots from the Greek's "opallios," meaning to see a change of color. This Greek word is likewise a revision of the ancient Indian Sanskrit's "upala," which means precious stone. Some opals are hydrophanes, meaning that they can soak up water like a sponge. When hydrated, the stone becomes more translucent and the play of colors more defined.