How to Care for Opals
HOW TO CARE FOR OPALS
Paul Sedawie
President of the Opal Association Inc
AUSTRALIAN OPALS
One of the most common misconceptions is that oil or house hold liquids can damage Australian opals. At present there are no know compounds that can penetrate a solid Australian opal. The only exception to this is matrix which is very porous .Another myth is that you should soak your opal in water-it doesn’t need this and it will not enhance it as a solid opal is impervious to this. It will not harm the stone so if you feel like doing it go ahead. Opal is a dress stone with the same hardness as pearl. Thin stones should be set in a pendant and not a ring. I have had a opal bezel set in a ring for 20 years and wear it all the time but every two or three years I have to re polish which I can do leaving it in the ring. When set in jewellery the stone should be protected and not protrude out. Opals don’t like to be stored away for years in a safe or exposed to strong sunlight. To clean your opal just use a soft brush or cloth and mild detergent-don’t clean it in a ultra sound as you can damage the stone.
To view your opal at its best indoors the natural light should come over your shoulder. Have your back to a window or door and view your opal
DOUBLETS/TRIPLETS
These are both have natural opals but are glued together so it is not recommended to soak in water. Triplets can lift after time but now cutters use a UV light which seals it better so ask the seller if the triplet has been UV treated. Clean with a soft cloth with mild detergent.
ETHIOPIAN OPALS
This is what the GIA in American said about this opal
“The hydrostatic SG of the opals ranged from 1.80 to 2.10. This broad range is in part due to the high porosity of some samples, as revealed by a significant weight increase after immersion in water (up to 8%). Fluorescence varied from inert to moderate yellowish white to both long- and short-wave ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Samples that were inert displayed an unexpected greenish phosphorescence of moderate intensity. No luminescence was observed in the opals with a yellow-to-brown bodycolor, even the light ones; these darker bodycolors are probably due to the presence of iron, which quenches luminescence. The yellow-to-green luminescence is likely due to the presence of uranium “
This is opal from the Welo region of Ethiopia-it is mainly Hydrophane in that it absorbs water and can change colour.To determine if the opal is hydrophane wet you hand and place it on top of the rough-if it sticks to your hand it is hydrophane.Stones will change colour when wet but will return back later.Dont dry out under strong lights.
NODULE OPAL
Also called brown opal
This material is more prone to crazing but they make stunning specimens with electric neon colours.This material can be stabilized and there are instructions in the forum on this site
VIRGIN VALLEY OPAL USA
This crystal opal has a high water content and is prone to crazing.Some wood replacement opal make great specimens and appear stable.Many of the miners do treat there crystal stones-there are instructions in the opal cutting section in the forum under Ethiopian opal as the treatment is the same.
MEXICAN OPALS
The same care as Australian opal is needed.Some natural stones have matrix around the which can absorbe fluids and discolour the matrix so clean the stone with a mild detergent
SedaOpals
http://www.opalauctions.com/store.php?seller_id=502
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Last Update: 11 Apr