What fire opal means (and why I choose every stone myself, one by one)

Whenever someone asks me why I choose my stones so carefully, the answer is always the same: because I want to see them before they become mine. Of all the stones I work with, fire opal is the one that has taught me the most about that idea.

What fire opal means

Mexican fire opal doesn't have the rainbow "play of color" of other opals — its magic is different: an orange, reddish or yellow base that seems to burn from inside the stone, as if it held a glowing ember. Traditionally it is associated with passion, creativity and the courage to start something new. It's no wonder it has been called the "sun stone" for centuries in several Mesoamerican cultures.

It is a stone that demands center stage. It is not the discreet option — it's the one you choose when you want a piece to speak before you do.

Why I choose each stone myself

I don't buy from catalogs or at random. The first fire opals I worked with I brought back myself from Mexico, on several trips I made years ago. Today I no longer travel there to look for them: I have trusted people in Mexico who send me the available stones, and I am the one who chooses them, one by one, before they reach my hands — with the same care as if I had them in front of me. When a stone arrives at my workshop in Collserola, it already has a piece designed around it: the 950 sterling silver is forged by hand around the stone, never the other way around.

That is why every ring, pendant or choker with fire opal that leaves my workshop is a one-of-a-kind piece — there is no factory somewhere producing the same stone in series. Once it sells, it will never be repeated exactly the same.

How to care for your fire opal

Opals are delicate stones (hardness 5.5-6.5 on the Mohs scale) that need a little care:

• Clean it only with a slightly damp microfiber cloth — never with ultrasonic cleaners or chemicals.
• Avoid sudden temperature changes and direct heat; they can dehydrate the stone and dull its brilliance.
• Do not submerge it in water or expose it to perfumes or cosmetics directly on the stone.
• Store it on its own, in a soft-lined case, away from harder stones that could scratch it.

Cared for this way, a fire opal will stay with you for generations.

Fire opal pieces available now

Every piece in this collection is a single unit, so what you see available today may not be there next week:

• Mexican Fire Opal — temple ring with Mexican fire opal in 950 sterling silver.
• Fire Opal and Amethyst — pendant that combines fire opal with the mystery of amethyst.
• Mexican Fire Opal and Thai Sapphires Ring — the most intense combination in the collection.

You can see all available fire opal pieces in the Opal Collection.

If you ever see a fire opal piece marked as sold out, it has probably already found its person — but you can always write to me and see what I can create with the next stone I get.