Caring for Opal Jewelry

Caring for Opal Jewelry<br /><br />Opal is the birthstone for October. It is also Australias national gemstone; an obvious choice given that Australia is the worlds biggest producer of the precious opal gemstone.<br /><br />Opals can be a single color or display every color imaginable in one gemstone. Its because of the latter that they are likened to being natures fireworks. In an interview with Suite 101, Australias ambassador to the International Colored Gemstone Association, Damien Cody, said: Stones of equal value can express totally different personalities. Thats their beauty.<br /><br />Why Wearing Opals Cares for ThemOpals contain, on average, 5 percent water. Wearing opal jewelry as often as possible provides the exposure the gem needs to both air humidity and moisture from the skin.<br /><br />Protecting OpalsThe Mohs scale of mineral hardness characterizes the scratch resistance of minerals. Diamonds top the scale at 10, being the hardest known natural substance when the rating was devised in the early 19th century. Opals typically rate 6 to 7 compared to sapphire 9 or emerald 7.7. Opals therefore need protection from heavy blow and abrasive materials.<br /><br />Opals also need protection from extreme sudden heat changes.<br /><br />Opal jewelry should not be worn in water. Particularly keep opals away from detergents or ammonia. Drying out of the gem can cause the opal to lose its radiance. It may also causing crazing little cracks. This can render the opal worthless. If storing an opal in a safe or safety deposit box, place the gem in a sealed bag with a dampened cloth.<br /><br />Always store jewels individually to avoid scratching.<br /><br />Caring for Veneer OpalOpal doublet, triplets and inlays are popular and very affordable jewelry buys, particularly among tourists to Australia purchasing colorful momentos of their holidays DownUnder. They are made using very thin slivers or veneers of opal attached to a base material.<br /><br />Opal Doublet, triplets and inlays should never be immersed in water. Avoid detergent too as it may weaken the glue that binds the laminate to the base.