Opals
- Thread starter shiuri
- Start date
TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others
As long as any stone is properly set, it shouldn't fall out.
Opals are a softer stone, so they are more prone to cracks and breakage. You just have to be a little gentler with them!
Opals are a softer stone, so they are more prone to cracks and breakage. You just have to be a little gentler with them!
opals are VERY delicate stones. just like kitsunegrl said, easy to scratch & crack.
here's some info on opals:
A species of quartz, opal is one of the few gemstones that are sedimentary in origin. Millions of years ago, after ancient seas receded, silica-laden sediment was deposited around shorelines. Erosion made much of this silica into a solution that filled cracks in rocks, clay and fossils. Layers upon layers of silica jell were added to each other over millions of years and became precious opals. The stones still contain 6 to 10 percent water, a remnant of ancient seas. Because they have high water content, opals should be protected from heat and strong light in order to prevent them from drying out and cracking.
Opals are delicate, but well worth the care. Their most significant weakness has to do with the water content. If an opal is allowed to dry, it will crack and craze. In most cases, they do not need any special care while stored. However, if you live in a very dry climate, or keep them in a dehumidified room, some precautions are necessary. Keeping them in a tight plastic bag, with a damp piece of cotton or fabric will prevent dehydration.
Because of their water content, opals are also highly sensitive to sudden changes in temperature. Opals do not mind being hot or cold, it is the rate of change that damages them. You need to avoid situations like going from a warm house to the winter's cold. Simply wearing an opal under clothing will protect them. Also, do not store opals near a heat source, an open window, etc., where they can be exposed to sudden temperature changes.
Being somewhat soft, they scratch easily. Realize that a large component of dust is quartz at 7 in hardness. At 5.5 to 6 in hardness, simply wiping the dust off an opal will gradually reduce its polish. The solution is to clean your opals using a soft cloth or brush, a mild detergent, and room temperature water. Then rinse the jewels to remove any residue.
Prevention is the best solution to scratching and chipping. Opals are best suited for earrings, brooches, and pendants. These jewels receive little contact with harder objects, compared to what a finger ring experiences. If you do get an opal ring, choose a setting that protects it from coming in contact with other objects.
Understand that, if you wear an opal ring on a regular basis, it will require occasional repolishing. Reserving your ring for special occasions will greatly reduce the risk of damage.
Make sure you remove your ring before physical activities like gardening and sports. Also, do not immerse the gem in liquid chemical solutions, like dishwater. Opals are porous and absorb liquids.
here's some info on opals:
A species of quartz, opal is one of the few gemstones that are sedimentary in origin. Millions of years ago, after ancient seas receded, silica-laden sediment was deposited around shorelines. Erosion made much of this silica into a solution that filled cracks in rocks, clay and fossils. Layers upon layers of silica jell were added to each other over millions of years and became precious opals. The stones still contain 6 to 10 percent water, a remnant of ancient seas. Because they have high water content, opals should be protected from heat and strong light in order to prevent them from drying out and cracking.
Opals are delicate, but well worth the care. Their most significant weakness has to do with the water content. If an opal is allowed to dry, it will crack and craze. In most cases, they do not need any special care while stored. However, if you live in a very dry climate, or keep them in a dehumidified room, some precautions are necessary. Keeping them in a tight plastic bag, with a damp piece of cotton or fabric will prevent dehydration.
Because of their water content, opals are also highly sensitive to sudden changes in temperature. Opals do not mind being hot or cold, it is the rate of change that damages them. You need to avoid situations like going from a warm house to the winter's cold. Simply wearing an opal under clothing will protect them. Also, do not store opals near a heat source, an open window, etc., where they can be exposed to sudden temperature changes.
Being somewhat soft, they scratch easily. Realize that a large component of dust is quartz at 7 in hardness. At 5.5 to 6 in hardness, simply wiping the dust off an opal will gradually reduce its polish. The solution is to clean your opals using a soft cloth or brush, a mild detergent, and room temperature water. Then rinse the jewels to remove any residue.
Prevention is the best solution to scratching and chipping. Opals are best suited for earrings, brooches, and pendants. These jewels receive little contact with harder objects, compared to what a finger ring experiences. If you do get an opal ring, choose a setting that protects it from coming in contact with other objects.
Understand that, if you wear an opal ring on a regular basis, it will require occasional repolishing. Reserving your ring for special occasions will greatly reduce the risk of damage.
Make sure you remove your ring before physical activities like gardening and sports. Also, do not immerse the gem in liquid chemical solutions, like dishwater. Opals are porous and absorb liquids.
Last edited:
I love opals, and you don't see many of them nowadays, so they make for a unique look. I did hear something superstitious about them, but you can choose to ignore it... I heard that it is bad luck to wear opals unless it is your birthstone (October). If you love them, don't let that superstition ruin it for you!
you're so very welcome! 
I want you to get a beautiful opal; you will REALLY love it. but I want you to enjoy it for many, many years. take care, buy smart, & you will!!!
good luck! would love to see what you get when you finally decide.
I want you to get a beautiful opal; you will REALLY love it. but I want you to enjoy it for many, many years. take care, buy smart, & you will!!!
good luck! would love to see what you get when you finally decide.
BTW...opal is my mother's birthstone. she has several rings now, & has had many others throughout her lifetime. she has given me some of her opals, & I just inherited an opal ring from my grandma.
my mom wears her opal rings in low, flat settings. she has had her stones repolished (they turn out lovely). she also swears by the tradition that you should rub plain cooking oil into the stone (but don't hold me to that).
opal is not my birthstone, & I have never had any break on me. I do love that superstition though...very fun!
my mom wears her opal rings in low, flat settings. she has had her stones repolished (they turn out lovely). she also swears by the tradition that you should rub plain cooking oil into the stone (but don't hold me to that).
opal is not my birthstone, & I have never had any break on me. I do love that superstition though...very fun!
Great info here - thanks!
An opal bracelet would be stunning. I had an opal ring once long ago but it cracked in half. I was a teenager though so I was probably rough on it. I would love to see a picture your bracelet sounds really pretty. Don't you love getting jewelry on vacations. It's is like the best souvinir.
I have an opal bracelet and I've worn it every single day for 3 years and it's in perfect condition! My bf got it for me when he was vacationing in Mexico with his family. Idk if he was trying to impress me, but he said the guy said the price was $200 and all my BF had was a $50 bill and that's what he got it for! Either way, it's my favorite piece of jewelry 
I've heard that storing them in a container filled with room temperature water helps cut down on dehydration