Care of Opal Gemstones
Opals are stunning gemstones with a fire that moves through the gemstone as the light source changes. This fire ranges from deep blues and greens in Australian opals to deep reds oranges yellows with hints of green and blue in Ethiopian opals.
Metal Studio stocks a selection of both Australian and Ethiopian opals and loose opals ready for custom design ideas.
Care for Opals
Opals are an extremely soft gemstone and can easily be chipped and damaged if they are treated roughly. It is especially important to be gently with opal jewelery. Remove opal jewelery before doing any kind of manual labour where the opal could be exposed to knocks or scratches.
Opals are also sensitive to the surrounding environment. Opals which change opacity and color combinations depending on the humidity. All opals in the Metal Studio online store are sold as pictured but may look different than the photos due to changes in humidity.
It is often recommend that opals be stored in a glass of water. In the case of opal doublets this can actually damage the backing. Solid opals will not be damaged by storing them in water but it is not necessary to store them in water.
In extremely dry conditions a small cup of water can be stored with the opal to prevent exposure to the extremes.