DESCRIPTION: Leopard opal 8.15 Carats.

• Item Type: SOLID NATURAL Leopard opal

This stunning Cabochon Leopard opal is from Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico.

Origin: MEXICO

Opal Size: 14 x 12 x 6 mm APPROX

WEIGHT: 8.15 CTS APPROX

Treated/Untreated: Untreated.

Leopard Opal is mainly a black basalt stone featuring numerous small opalescent “eyes” that shimmer in a variety of colors. This vibrant stone, with its mysterious, almost velvety feel and strong presence, resembles the soft, spotted fur of a leopard.

With its enigmatic shimmer set against a dark background, Leopard Opal complements every fashionable color currently trending.

This opal is believed to promote well-being.

Thanks to its unexpectedly flashing color sparks, which also shift depending on the lighting, Leopard Opal has a very refreshing effect on the soul, while its connection to the dark volcanic bedrock helps to preserve mental balance and inner calm.

Mining and processing

The only known deposit of Leopard Opal was found in 1967 near Sinaloa, in Mexico’s Hidalgo province.

The location is so remote that it can only be accessed by horseback after several hours of riding.

The material is extracted by hand and then must be carried back to civilization by mule. This lengthy and labor-intensive process may explain why Leopard Opal is rarely seen on the market.