Honduran opal is mined in the Lempira region, in the eastern part of the country. Being a very poor region in one of the poorest states in Central America, the local government recently passed laws protecting the mining region and allowing residents to mine and sell opal according to fair trade principles, thus preventing exploitation of the land and the population.
Most Honduran opal is dark matrix opal, a matrix rock studded with small specks of relatively bright, colored opal. Much less common, but extraordinarily beautiful, is Honduran vein opal, in which thin white opal layers alternate with a dark matrix interspersed with bands of solid, colored opal. These colors, which usually occur in parallel bands, display an exceptionally intense play of color, typical of opal, often with highlights from the entire rainbow spectrum. Andesite opal, found in the highest points of the Opal Region, resembles the opal once mined in Slovakia. Embedded in gray volcanic rock, there are sometimes large and sometimes smaller cavities filled with milky white opal, which always includes beautiful noble opal.
The most interesting of the Honduran opals, however, is currently the even rarer crystal opal. This is a noble opal with a transparent body color and intense opalescent patches. Crystal opals are usually found within rounded nodules of matrix rock. Through their water-clear body color, some specimens display specks of color floating three-dimensionally within.
To date, opal deposits in Honduras have not yet been systematically explored. Near the known discovery sites, where opal is already being mined, there are additional secret sites, which are likely passed down orally among the families who live there. After careful examination of the area by geologists from the mining district, it is clear that opal is more widespread in the Lempira region than previously thought.
OpaleMio also sells opals from Honduras.
