Opal Jewellery: How to Clean, Care and Store Australia’s National Gemstone

Cleaning and Caring: Solid Opal Jewellery

Never place your opals in an ultrasonic cleaner, as the intense vibrations may cause cracking in a solid opal, and water penetration in a doublet or triplet.  Small scratches and scuff marks can cause an opal to lose its shiny polish and become dull looking. If this is the case with your stones a professional polisher should be contacted to bring it back to life.

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Caring for Australia’s National Gemstone: Opal

Opals are stunning, but they require delicate handling to maintain their beauty. Follow these essential care tips to ensure your opals remain radiant for years to come:

Handle with Care: Treat your opals gently to avoid damage. Avoid wearing them during activities like gardening or heavy lifting, which could cause accidental impacts. Solid Opal is a soft stone (between about 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs Hardness scale) so treat gently to avoid damaging your stone.

Mind the Temperature: Opals contain water and are sensitive to extreme temperatures. Prevent cracking by avoiding exposure to rapid changes in temperature or very high heat. Avoid very high temperatures or low humidity extremes, such as boiling water or storing your gems in bank vaults or safes with very low humidity.

Gentle Cleaning: Clean solid opals with a soft cloth and mild detergent in lukewarm water. Never use harsh chemicals or cleaners, as they can harm the stone’s surface.

Avoid Ultrasonic Cleaners: Steer clear of ultrasonic cleaners, which can cause cracking in solid opals and water penetration in doublet or triplet opals. Chemicals used in some Ultrasonic cleaners can cause damage to the surface of the opal, while the strong ultrasonic vibration may crack or chip the stone.

Preserve the Shine: Small scratches can dull your opal’s polish. Chemical free microfiber cloths are suitable for polishing Opal, Pearl, Amber and other delicate Jewellery items. If you notice scuff marks, consult a professional polisher to restore its shine.

Store Safely: Store your opals in a soft cloth bag to prevent scratches. Most precious opals contain about 5-6% water, therefore, an opal may crack if subjected to very dry conditions or rapid changes in temperature. In particularly low humidity environments, wrap them in cotton wool with a few drops of water before sealing in a plastic bag.

By following these tips, you’ll protect your solid opals and maintain their natural allure for years to come.

CAUTION: There are exceptions to the above. If your piece doesn’t contain a Solid Opal but is instead a Doublet or Triplet style Composite Opal the care is a little different.

Opal Doublet or Triplet style: The care is a little different.

Caring for Composite Opals requires special attention due to their unique construction.

• A Doublet is a thin layer of opal glued over a dark base to enhance its colours.
• A Triplet has a third clear layer (generally glass or clear Quartz) glued to the top to provide a rounded shape and protect the actual stone.
• Because these consist of multiple layers glued together, prolonged exposure to water will eventually cause lifting between the layers and the infiltration of water causing a ‘foggy’ or grey appearance.
• Forgetting and wearing it in the shower once or being caught in the rain shouldn’t do any damage but do not expose your Doublet or Triplet opals to prolonged water exposure
• To clean Doublets or Triplets, they may be wiped with a damp soft cloth and mild detergent but should never be soaked or immersed in water.

Composite Opal Jewellery Care: Here are some additional care guidelines!

Avoid Immersion: Unlike solid opals, doublet and triplet opals have layers that can be affected by water penetration. Therefore, it’s essential to avoid immersing them in water or using them in situations where they might be exposed to moisture for extended periods.

Avoid Ultrasonic Cleaners: As with solid opals, refrain from using ultrasonic cleaners on doublet or triplet opals. The vibrations can compromise the adhesive used to bond the layers together, leading to separation or damage.

Gentle Cleaning: When cleaning doublet or triplet opals, use a soft cloth dampened with lukewarm water and mild detergent. Gently wipe the surface to remove any dirt or residue. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners, as they can damage the layers or affect the adhesive.

Storage: Store doublet or triplet opals in a soft cloth bag or padded jewellery box to prevent them from getting scratched or damaged. Keep them away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures, as these can affect the adhesive and cause the layers to separate.

Handle with Care: Handle doublet or triplet opal jewellery gently to avoid accidental damage. Avoid dropping them or subjecting them to impact, as this can cause cracks or fractures in the layers.

Preserve the beauty and integrity of your doublet or triplet opals for years to come by following these care guidelines.

General Tips

For more jewellery care hints and tips, visit my blog to stay updated on the best practices for caring for your precious pieces. Appropriate cleaning, proper storage, and cautious handling will help preserve their beauty and integrity for years to come.