Iolite, clear Mexican jelly opal, maligano jasper, 18k yellow gold. Measures 48mm x 69mm (Detachable Pendant) on a 32" chain of chalcedony and rock crystal. [trigger heading="Why Is This Unique?" text="The contrasting hues of orange, blue, grey, and black that make up the clouds, foliage and rocky landscape in Maligano Jasper are actually a result of millions of years of silica-rich fluids flowing through porous rock. Over time, silica accumulates and forms chalcedony deposits, with the color and patterns being determined by the presence of trace elements and impurities. The first, top quality material that came to market (from Indonesia) had the best patterns, interesting dendrite markings (which are the tree-like tendrils that are actually oxidized growths of the mineral manganese) and landscape scenes, which is now mined out.

Mexican Opal was prized and used for jewelry, mosaics, and sculpture of the Mayas and Aztecs. Known to the Aztecs by the name Vitzitziltecpa, which means hummingbird stone due to its similarity to the bright iridescent colors of the bird’s plumage. Formed in the depths of ancient volcanoes, jelly opal was created when water seeps into silica-rich lava, filling its seams and hollows. Under this incredible heat and pressure, the lava traps water within itself, forming into opal in pockets and thin openings in the rock. Mexican opal comes in two types: 1) Fire opal which is a term now reserved for orange to red opal, with or without play of color and 2) Jelly opal which is a cloudy or translucent opal with a jelly-like appearance, sometimes with a blueish tint to it. Fire opal is unique in that it has vivid color while remaining highly transparent, and while both types of opals generally lack play of color, those specimens which possess it are very rare and valuable. The larger and more clear the stone, the more rare."]