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Magazine 58F
Caring for an opal on vintage jewelry
Why opal on jewelry second-hand demands attention
Jewelry second-hand opal are notable for their unique, iridescent colors. However, these sumptuous stones require care to maintain their unique appearance over time.
In fact, the hardness of opal is only 5.5 to 6.5, and it is fragile both to shocks (due to frequent internal tensions, micro-cracks) and to heat (taking into account the dehydration that this causes, in particular), to chemicals (opal being hydrophilic). For all these reasons, opal is most often cut in cabochon, which also allows you to make the most of their play of colors.
Here are the essential tips for taking care of this stone whose name means "precious stone" in Sanskrit and highly regarded in antiquity, while it is attributed to it an evil character later, but today a symbol of love and of wisdom.
Tips for caring for an opal on jewelry second-hand
First, avoid wearing jewelry when you play sports, or engage in any activity that could weaken the stone and scratch it, such as washing dishes, gardening or going to the beach: earth and sand can also discolor it.
Contact with water: opal has the particularity of containing water (between 3% and… 20%!), it is a stone which is therefore sensitive to its loss or on the contrary to prolonged contact with the water.
Contact with water is generally not problematic, except for certain Ethiopian opals called “hydrophanes” which lose their play of color if they are immersed in water for a long time. In addition, we do not like to present doublet and triplet opals to you on our jewelry second-hand, but if you have it, avoid taking a shower or washing your hands with it, so as not to affect what holds the different layers together. “Boulder” opal will hold up to hot water or oils.
It is possible to clean it with a damp cloth but in general, it is better to avoid any contact with oils or cosmetics (creams, perfumes, etc.). Never subject it to ultrasound either, again due to its water content.
It is wise not to leave the stone in an overheated or too cold place, the opal can be damaged and cracked, particularly if it is too “dried out”.
Opal therefore needs to be taken care of like a living material, so it will keep all its magic play of colors which will liven up your vintage jewelry! Find all our jewelry selection second-hand in opal as well as the period which greatly appreciated it: the new art