Tell Me About Opals

Tell Me About Opals Article - Opal Pendant with Diamonds

Although I design jewelry for a living, opals are the one gemstone I haven't worked with yet. An opal’s fragility has steered me away from designing with them, but their striking beauty is greatly admired. I started thinking more about opals when I recently came across an elegant opal pendant necklace I adored as a child. Over 40 years ago, my father gifted my mother a one-of-a-kind opal jewelry piece. The large oval opal pendant set in 18k gold with diamonds looked unbelievable for its age (pictured above). Its beauty and longevity were the result of my mother properly caring for her jewelry piece.

Seeing the pendant necklace after so many years brought many emotions. I couldn't resist touching the gem, looking at all of its colors, and trying it on. As I wore the opal necklace I pondered its history, unique beauty, meaning, and the many wonders of this incredible gem. The experience inspired me to write this blog and reconsider designing with opals.

If you are curious about opals—where they come from, opal types, the meaning of an opal, the opal birthstone month, or how to care for opal jewelry—the questions and answers below are a great place to start. In this “Tell Me About Opals” article, I walk through some of the most common questions opal enthusiasts may ask or wonder about.

Opal Gemstone

Where Do Opals Come From?

Opals can be found around the world. Australia produces about 95% of the world’s opals and it is their official national gemstone. Mexico, Honduras, Brazil, and the Western US are other regions where opals originate. Miners find opals in sedimentary rock or sandstone. Opals are tiny silica spheres formed when silica-rich water fills deep cracks and voids within the earth’s crust.

What Is the Meaning Behind an Opal Gemstone?

Opals are believed to represent hope, innocence, and purity. They are also associated with happiness, confidence, faithfulness, and loyalty.

What Colors Do Opals Come In?

Opals come in a variety of beautiful colors—white, colorless, orange, yellow, various red hues, yellowish brown, greenish, blue, gray, black, and violet.

How Strong Are Opals?

Opals may appear hard, but they are the most delicate gemstone used in jewelry. On the Mohs Scale they rank between 5.5–6.5. Opals scratch easily, making opal rings less ideal than opal pendants or earrings.

What Is the Least Expensive and Most Expensive Opal Type?

White opals with a light body tone tend to be the least expensive. Black opals are the most valuable and hardest to find. They have a dark background with strong color play.

What Is the Most Expensive Opal in the World?

The most expensive opal is the Virgin Rainbow, worth over $1 million. Discovered in 2003 by miner John Dunstan in Coober Pedy, Australia, the opal displays a fluorescent rainbow of colors. It is 6 centimeters long and weighs 22 carats.

What Is the Largest Opal in the World?

The Olympic Australis opal is the largest opal ever discovered. Found in 1956 in Coober Pedy, Australia, it weighs 7.5 pounds and is 17,000 carats.

What Are Gem Grade Opals vs. Common Opals?

Gem-grade opals have uniform, neatly stacked spheres that diffract light. Common opals have randomly arranged spheres and often appear glassy or opaque with a waxy luster.

What Is the Difference Between a Doublet and Triplet Opal?

A doublet opal has a thin opal layer glued to a black base. A triplet adds a transparent quartz cap for protection against scratching.

What Environments Should I Avoid When Wearing Opal Jewelry?

Avoid harsh environments such as extreme heat or cold. If exposed, cover the jewelry with clothing for protection.

What Birthstone Month Is an Opal?

Opals are the birthstone for October. There is a superstition that wearing an opal not tied to your birth month can bring bad luck.

How Do I Store Opal Jewelry?

Store opals separately from other jewelry. Because opals contain water, they may crack if they dry out. Storing them in a soft, slightly moist cotton cloth can help prolong their life.

How Do I Clean Opal Jewelry?

Solid opals can be cleaned gently with mild soap and warm water. Avoid steam cleaners, ultrasonics, harsh chemicals, and boiling water. Doublets and triplets should only be wiped with a damp cloth—never soaked. Always ask your jeweler for care guidelines before purchasing.

Other Jewelry Care Tips

  • Remove jewelry when performing tasks that may cause damage.
  • Keep jewelry away from harsh chemicals.
  • Avoid lotions and beauty products when wearing jewelry.
  • Remove jewelry before swimming or bathing.

"Jewelry is always in style."

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