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Zebra Opal – Zebra Fun

Black and White Gem from Australia

 

A polished Zebra Opal cabochon with stripes of contrasting black and white opal layers.
A polished Zebra Opal cabochon with stripes of contrasting black and white opal layers.
A pair of Zebra Opal cabochons with stripes of contrasting black and white opal layers.
A pear-shaped Zebra Opal cabochon with stripes of contrasting black and white opal layers.
A pair of Zebra Opal cabochons with contrasting black and white opal layers.

In Zebra Opal, we see beautiful pictures and fanciful drawings in black and white. Many of these opals are patterned with stripes like the coat of a zebra. Other stones show mysterious characters or entire landscapes in black and white, and show us the magic of nature and imagination.

Zebra Opal is much sought-after in the trade, and very rare. Zebra Opals stimulate imagination and creativity, and invite serenity and joy of life.

A map of Australia showing Andamooka, where Zebra Opal is mined.

Mining and processing

Zebra Opal comes from a South Australian opal deposit, which was discovered in 1904. This deposit has never been worked extensively, except in 1965, when a few pounds of Zebra Opal were unearthed, but the deposit was quickly abandoned again.

The mining area, known as Charlie Swamp, is located 80km northeast of the famous opal fields of Andamooka in South Australia. There are only very small quantities of raw material available, all from this one-time excavation.

A view of the opal fields of Andamooka, where Zebra Opal is mined.
A view of the opal fields of Andamooka, where Zebra Opal is mined.
A view of the opal fields of Andamooka, where Zebra Opal is mined.