Opal rings, opal earrings, opal studs and pendants are unarguably some of the best gemstones to invest in today. These gems are known for their naturally delicate characteristics. Opals are very valuable gemstones because they’re very rare to come by. To be precise, they are 5,000 times rarer than diamonds. Because of their fragility and rarity, you need to pay attention to your opals and give them the best care possible. This is the only way to extend their lifespan and maintain them for many years.
But what are the best possible care measures for opal gemstone rings and earrings? Read on to discover all you should know about this burning question.
Here’s what you should know about opal’s wearability
Today, the Mohs scale of mineral hardness is an important scale for classifying different types of gemstones. According to this Mohs, opals fall between the hardness scale of 5.5 to 6.5 – this is relatively low compared to other gems.
What exactly does opal’s relatively low Mohs hardness mean to its wearability?
- With a Mohs hardness scale of 5.5 to 6.5, opal rings or earrings can easily scratch and wear out by certain household items. One example of a household item that can easily scratch opals is dust, which has a hardness scale of 7 – thanks to its silicon dioxide particles.
- Another thing you need to know about opals is that they contain a high amount of water (roughly 5% to 10%). In a low-humidity environment, if care is not taken, your precious opals can develop cracks.
Because of the relatively low Mohs hardness of opals, you need to be very careful when you wear your precious gemstone to avoid cracks.
Effective tips on how to keep your opal earrings and rings safe
The good news is that you can always care for your opal gemstone jewellery and protect them from cracks. One effective way is by using protective gem settings.
- If you’re just about to buy your opal rings, you need to consider the bezel settings. The best you can do is to go for less domed opals. Less of these gemstones protrudes above the settings, making it easier for you to protect your precious opals.
- For more secure options, another thing you can do is go for assembled opal ring triplets or doublets.
- How to care for your triplet & doublet – opal rings
For you to enjoy your opal rings (doublet and triplet) for a long period, you need to consider the following protective measures:
- First, try as much as possible to avoid getting your opals wet. Speaking of “wet”; we mean you should avoid prolonged exposure of your doublets and triplets to water. If this happens, water can always find its way in between the layers, causing a grey look.
- Another way to protect your opals is by cleaning your doublets and triplets with detergent (mild) and a soft cloth. When cleaning them, avoid using any harsh chemicals and cleansing products.
- How to care for your solid opal rings
Unlike doublets and triplets opals, you need to understand that solid opal rings cannot get damaged by water.
- Solid opals contain roughly 5% to 10% water content. As such, you should avoid subjecting them to extremely dry conditions to keep them protected from cracks. In addition, you should also avoid exposing your opals to any environment with low humidity or a rapid temporary change.
- You can protect your opal rings by cleaning them with mild detergent and a soft cloth or toothbrush.
- Avoid using an ultrasonic cleaner to clean your opals. The vibration of the cleaner may end up causing cracks on your opals.
Don’t feel bad when your opal rings and opal earrings start losing their shine. In this situation, the best you can do is to consider professional polishing and we’ll be glad to help you at Masterpiece Jewellery.
