Opal jewelry is a type of jewelry that gives glamour to the wearer, and can be worn with almost any type of clothing as it blends well with any mixing and matching of clothes. With that in mind, this precious stone should be cared for in order to maintain its quality and glamour as well as maintain its lasting usage. Here are some of the facts and figures in order to have proper care and maintenance of opal:
Opal and water are almost synonymous to each other because opal contains between 3-30% water. It can also absorb water so essentially it can get wet when submerged in water or in any liquid it comes in contact with. In order to minimize residues on your opal jewelry, it is strongly recommended to remove them from your body whenever you perform any activity that involves water/liquid such as taking a shower or washing your hands. Actual observations have also shown that human sweat whenever it gets in contact with Opal can leave residues on the opal. This residue can normally be whipped off the Opal with a damp cloth.
Opal doublets and triplets, which are made when slices of Opal are glued together, should avoid any water contact. The water can in some cases cause the glue to deteriorate. The modern glues used in Opal doublets and triplets are very durable and should be ok with small to moderate water exposure.
The opal in itself is sensitive to sudden changes in temperature. Any drastic change will have an effect on the water content within the opal and could cause micro cracks along its sides. These micro-cracks may not be visible right away but in the long run, it could cause deterioration of the stone and eventually ruin the opal jewelry sooner or later. With this situation, it is advisable not to wear your opal jewelry in certain seasons that normally have extreme temperatures such as during winter. It may seem very tempting to wear them but it is better to be wise than to regret later.
Opal jewelry is susceptible to physical damages as well. Ensure to avoid dropping the opal on a hard surface, or getting hit on a solid object such as concrete walls, door knobs, and railings, among others. Doing so will definitely cause damage and eventual breakage in the long run.
Always remember Opal jewelry is precious and considered to be fine jewelry. This should be well taken care of to ensure lasting use and consistent glamor.
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