Comments on: Why Jalisco’s precious obsidian is vanishing

By: David Palmer

David Palmer — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 23:44:58 +0000

Very illuminating. I’m looking forward to the story.

By: John Pint

John Pint — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 18:55:37 +0000

Hola David,
The composition of opals is really curious. I’m told they are not crystals. Instead, they are composed of billions of tiny spheres of amorphous silica gel, with water vapor trapped in the voids between the spheres. So they blaze with “fire” but actually contain water!
In Jalisco, the Magdalena area is famous for opals… Stand by, there will be a story on this!

By: David Palmer

David Palmer — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 13:27:22 +0000

Very interesting story John Pint. I always wondered where obsidian came from.
Do you know anything about Mexican opals – I was gifted with a handful when we stopped at a family restaurant just south of Tepic back in 1973.
The way the guy talked I had the impression that they were bountiful and he could just dig them up in his backyard.

By: John Pint

John Pint — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 04:57:43 +0000

In reply to jbills2007@hotmail.com. Comments Archaeologist Rodrigo Esparza: For the most part, they are transforming it into cheap jewelry: bracelets, necklaces, earrings. Believe it or not, they are also turning it into powder which is used for polishing.

By: Jorge of the castle

Jorge of the castle — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 00:38:46 +0000

In reply to blkdye@gmail.com. Exactly! Certainly not downgrade to "rubble"

By: jbills2007@hotmail.com

jbills2007@hotmail.com — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 17:59:50 +0000

What do countries like China do with this imported obsidian?

By: blkdye@gmail.com

blkdye@gmail.com — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 16:44:00 +0000

great article – very interesting and troubling. It would seem that Mexico would want to protect its obsidian as a part of its cultural heritage.