Opals are beautiful, but delicate stones that need to be worn with care. They are ranked between 5.5-6.5 on the Mohs scale, which means they are about as hard as glass – not as tough as diamonds, but not quite as soft as pearls.
Opal Gemstone Care
Avoid wearing opal rings if you’re doing any work that is going to be hard on your hands, and, in general, apply ‘the pearl rule’: your opal jewellery should be the last thing you put on and the first thing you take off.
We would recommend you remove your opal ring while using soap, in the shower or washing dishes and avoid exposing your opal pieces to alcohol sanitisers, detergents, cosmetic products or oils
The safest way to clean opals is using warm, soapy water, gently removing any clouding or deposits with soft tools like a baby’s toothbrush or very soft microfibre cloth to avoid scratching the surface. Do not soak or submerge your opal jewellery in water. Rather, rinse it briefly under a running tap and make sure to dry your opal thoroughly with a soft, dry cloth immediately after cleaning. We recommend limiting cleaning your opal to 3-4 times a year.
We would not recommend ever cleaning an opal using an ultrasonic or steam cleaner.
Store your opal jewellery wrapped in a soft cloth or in a soft-lined container, pouch, or jewellery box, separate from other jewellery to avoid scratches. Avoid exposure to extreme temperatures.
