Cherishing Your Stone

Caring for Your Australian Opal: A Guide to Preservation and Cleaning

Australian opals, renowned for their vibrant play of colors and unique patterns, are a prized possession for many jewelry enthusiasts.

These precious gemstones have a typical hardness of 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale, a standard scale used to measure the hardness of various minerals (for reference: pearl = 3.5, glass = 5, tanzanite = 6.5, emerald = 7.75, sapphire = 9, diamond = 10).

While opals are quite resistant, it is essential to handle them with care to prevent contact with abrasives or impacts that could potentially damage them. Generally, thicker stones are more resilient than thinner ones. With the right care, your opal can offer a lifetime of pleasure and become a treasured heirloom.

How to Clean Opal Jewellery

To maintain the luster and beauty of your opal jewelry, follow these simple cleaning steps:

1. Place the jewelry in a glass of water at night and add a few drops of chemical-free liquid hand soap.
2. Leave the jewelry piece submerged until morning.
3. In the morning, gently brush the jewelry with a toothbrush and rinse thoroughly.

Note: Before proceeding with the cleaning, ensure that your opal jewelry does not contain any elements that might be adversely affected by soaking in water.

By following this guide, you can ensure that your Australian opal remains as dazzling as the day you acquired it, ready to be passed down as a cherished heirloom.