Leopard Opal / Aztec Opal Vial

Leopard Opal, or Aztec Opal, from Zimapán, Hidalgo, Mexico. This natural Mexican Opal glitters with flashes of aqua, blue, indigo, purple, green, pink and red iridescence. Leopard Opal received its name due to its striking spotted appearance and contrasting black basaltic host rock matrix. Leopard Opal is found in only one location in the world, an obscure deposit 14km southwest of the town of Zimapán in the Hidalgo State of Mexico. 

You will receive one glass bottle with cork top, full of sparkling Leopard Opal pieces, each piece of Opal is selected by hand for best play-of-color in every bottle. Most of the Opal pieces are 7-10mm. Water will be removed for shipping, refill with water once received, we use distilled or filtered water. Change or refresh water as needed.

Leopard Opal is of volcanic origin, a beautiful result of ancient lava flows, in Mexico's central volcanic belt. As water came in contact with layers of silica-rich volcanic ash, the ash began to break down, creating silica-rich fluids. The silica solution filtered through from the volcanic ash and breccia layers, into the upper layer of the porous vesicular basalt below. This process created a glittering rainbow of opal-filled micro pockets within the vesicular black basalt, now known as Leopard Opal or Aztec Leopard Opal. The mining area remains undeveloped and only small scale mining is done at this deposit, often using only hand tools.

Stone: Leopard Opal
Origin: Zimapán, Hidalgo, Mexico
Bottle Size: 65mm height / 2.5in including cork
Weight: 40g
Natural, free of dyes or enhancements.
You'll receive one bottle of Leopard Opal, similar to the examples shown in photos.