If you love opals as much as me, I hope you’ll appreciate these tips on how to care for this dazzling, yet fragile gemstone.

I remember my grandmother always talking about the special care that must be put into her opal necklace. And since the opal is one of the most delicate gemstones around, I know the same caution should be used with any opal jewelry. With a little loving care and some common sense, your opal will stay in stunning condition for many, many years to come.

Why is an opal so delicate, you ask? There are two main reasons. One is that an opal is a relatively soft gem, sometimes as low as 5.5 on the MOHS hardness scale that is used to determine a gem’s durability. This means an opal can be easily scratched or damaged. That’s why an opal is best suited for earrings, brooches, and pendants, so that they are less exposed to harder objects.

Another reason an opal is so vulnerable is that opals contain a large amount of water content -- typically about 5 to 6%. That means if an opal is kept in a very low humidity place, it can easily dry out and crack. Also due to this water content, opals are also sensitive to sudden changes in temperature. So be sure to keep your opal jewelry properly stored!

There’s more. Some opal jewelry will have an additional vulnerability. Opal doublets possess a layer of precious opal that is glued to a black backing, and prolonged exposure to water can weaken the glue and allow water to infiltrate the opal jewelry and make the opal gemstones turn a grey hue.

Notes on cleaning: An opal should be cleaned gently with mild detergent in warm water with a very soft brush or cloth. Never us bleach, chemicals or other cleaners on an opal. Opal jewelry should never be soaked or immersed or cleaned with any sort of ultrasonic cleaner! 

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Eagle National Mint Hope these tips help. And if you are looking for an opal or opal jewelry, here’s another tip: Shop Eagle National Mint. There is no better place to shop.

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