Opal is a relatively soft stone- roughly the same hardness as glass, so it is important to treat your opal carefully to avoid damage. Remove opal jewellery if there is a chance it will be scratched or broken (e.g working out at the gym/ lifting heavy furniture/ gardening etc).
Many people believe solid opals can be damaged by water- however this is not true. Water damage only occurs in doublets and triplets. Solid opals are fine in water. In fact, most precious opal contains about 4-6% water. Avoid exposing your opal to extremely high temperatures as this may cause cracking.
Cleaning your opal – Solid opals should be cleaned gently with mild detergent in warm water and a soft toothbrush or cloth. Never allow anyone to clean your opal in an ultra sonic cleaner, as the intense vibrations can cause cracking.
Storage – If you ever need to store your opal away, such as in a safe or drawer, simply place it in a padded bag for protection. For long periods of storage – seal in a plastic bag with a few drops of water in cotton wool to prevent drying and causing dehydration fractures.
