Opal is a very delicate gem. It has a hardness of 5.5-6.5 and is in the midfield on the Mohs hardness scale. But you should definitely take it off at work. Otherwise an opal can withstand a lot. But there are differences between the individual types of opal. Boulder opals are generally considered to be the toughest.
To take care of Opal you should consider the following:
1.Very important: the opal wants to be worn. Opals contain water. By wearing it, the opal is always given some moisture. Contact with the skin is often enough. Body fats, oils or even cosmetics do not damage the opal as much as is generally assumed, since the main component (silica) is chemically quite stable. Only when using hairspray should opal jewelry be removed, as the hairspray may contain solvents and other chemicals.
2.Clean the opal with lukewarm water after wearing. Jewelry is cleaned far too rarely. A mild detergent can be used if this appears necessary. BUT never use harsh, abrasive or caustic cleaning agents and always rinse with clear water! Then let it air dry.
3.Opals don't like extreme temperature fluctuations. Do not warm your hands by the fireplace in winter after the snowball fight. If the temperature fluctuates from minus 15 to 25 degrees, the opal can shatter
4.Do not store Opal in containers, cans or caskets lined with fabric. The fabric removes moisture from the opal. A plastic can with damp cotton wool is only recommended if the cotton wool does not dry out. Otherwise, the cotton also pulls the moisture out of the opal. In existence, the opal is kept in the normal humidity of a room, not on the heater and in a shady area near a vase with water and flowers. Dry air should be avoided. In the sun, temperature is not the problem, but the associated evaporation.
5.The same rules apply to doublets. You should only hold back when washing and do not put the doublets in water. In the long run, the adhesive loosens between the layers. Triplets, on the other hand, are less sensitive because the opal cannot come into contact with dry air. But here too too much moisture can damage the adhesive between the stone layers.
With proper care of opal, you will enjoy your gem for a long time.
