A precious stone rich in legends and history, opal encompasses the beauty of all gemstones and fascinates with its interpenetrating colors.
Opal earring by9Avril, Pariss
The Australian Aborigines are convinced that their ancestral being Dream - time descended on earth on a rainbow and that the stones which surrounded it turned into the first opals. The flashes of color on opals are said to reflect the changing moods and emotions of the wearer. The color play of opals is undoubtedly a unique and breathtaking phenomenon, which is why they are coveted by the wealthy, kings, gem collectors, mystics and healers. Opals have gained the reputation of being a "symbol of hope" and "the stone of lovers and artists". They look luxurious when used in fine jewelry and can be treasured for years. But it needs to be taken care of to keep the vibrant colors and luster intact. Here's how you can show your love for yourjewelry in opal and cherish them forever:
The hardness of opals ranges from 5.5-6.5 Mohs, making it a soft gemstone. You can store them away when working in harsh conditions or when handling harsh chemicals. This way you will prevent scratches and cracks from developing on these colorful beauties.
Opals are delicate gemstones and have around 20-30% water trapped in them. The intense heat and light can cause cracks or fracture lines on these stones. They are sensitive to extreme and sudden changes in temperature. Also, when you store your opals, keep them wrapped in a damp cloth or with a damp cotton piece to avoid dehydration.
It's best to wear your opals more often if you want them to stay beautiful for years to come. By exposing opals to moisture in the air and your body, you will keep them hydrated and preserve the beautiful colors they contain.
You can chooseearrings and opal pendants to wear daily and keep opal rings for occasions. An opal ring will be more suitable for a kitten frame if you plan to wear it every day.
It is recommended to clean thejewelry in opal every four or five months, and you can do this at home. You can use a mild detergent and hot water to loosen the accumulated dirt and clean the jewelry with a soft brush or cloth. However, avoid using the brush on the surface of the gemstone.
Avoid using bleach, harsh cleaning solutions, and chemicals on opals. They do not withstand caustic alkaline solutions and hydrofluoric acid. Likewise, you will end up damaging the opals if you clean them in an ultrasonic machine. From time to time, you can take your opal jewelry to a professional jeweler to polish it to preserve its shine.
With these simple cleaning and maintenance tips, you can increase the life of your opal jewelry. Opal accessories are unique pieces in your collection and with a little attention and care they can look newer than ever.