Are opals very delicate stones? Are they easily scratched? I have heard that they can they can dry out, is this so? (I was given an engagement ring on friday and want to know how to take care of thise stones)
2006-09-06 02:06:39 · 5 answers · asked by Amoeba 3 in Beauty & Style ➔ Fashion & Accessories
Are they delicate? Yes, very.
Are they easily scratched? Yes, very easily.
Can they dry out? Yes.
It's my modern birthstone, so I've been given tons of opal jewelry. It's a pain to care for. Basically you have to take it off for doing most anything. Showers, washing your hands, washing dishes, applying makeup, household cleaning, laundry, working out, and many more tasks. Get a good cleaner for pearls and opals, the regular jewelry cleaner is too harsh. Look for it anywhere jewelry is sold.
http://experts.about.com/q/Jewelry-Gems-Minerals-689/opal.htm
This is a great page for opal care with an additional link in the answer for even more in depth information.
2006-09-06 02:24:53 · answer #1 · answered by welches_grape_jelly 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Opals may not be the best of stones for an engagement ring--they're very soft and can crack or chip easily, so you don't want to wear them all the time. In fact, Australian Opals are cut as cavendishes (round topped), because they're too soft to be faceted. You should oil them occasionally. There is another type of opal which is somewhat better. I assume what you have is an Australian Opal, the kind that looks milky with small flashes of color. There is also one called a Mexican Opal, which is clear and varies in color from yellow to red. It is hard enough to be faceted.
2006-09-06 02:18:31 · answer #2 · answered by cross-stitch kelly 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had heard that also, I asked the jeweler when I got one for my birthday if I should do anything special, and he said just keep it away from harsh chemicals. I have had it now for 5 years.
2006-09-06 02:13:05 · answer #3 · answered by flip103158 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep them in the Starburst packet out of direct sunlight
2006-09-06 02:14:29 · answer #4 · answered by monocracy_uk 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.opals-australia.com.au/html/looking_opals.html
More than I ever wanted to know :-)
2006-09-06 02:12:26 · answer #5 · answered by Felidae 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋