Morado, meaning purple in Spanish, or Purple Opal also known as Opal Royale or Violet Flame Opal came from a deposit in Central Mexico and was first introduced to the lapidary community at the Tucson Show in 2012.  Very popular, it quickly sold and has been increasingly difficult to find quality material since.

Unlike precious opals, it does not exhibit the usual “fire” or color play. The purple within this mineral is actually tiny fluorite and silica inclusions which produce a wide range of hues ranging from deep purples to soft lavender; and may exhibit blue to violet fluorescence under UV light. 

It is a brittle material and is somewhat soft, a Mohs hardness of 4 1/2 to 5 ½, but takes a beautiful polish. Morado Opal is most appropriate for earrings, pendants and other jewelry that is not exposed to impact or abrasion.

Origin:  Mexico

Dimensions:  2.5" x 2" and approximately 6.8 mm thick.  Weight = 40 grams. 

Shown wet.  Not polished. Known flaws are shown as white lines in the last picture frame.