Opals are among the softest of stones. Handling them carefully is the key to ensuring they’ll look their finest.

Keep your opals in a fabric-lined jewel case or a box with separated compartments. With opals it is particularly important to wrap each piece individually in velvet or silk.

It is critical that you not wash dishes, clothes, or anything else that causes you to emerse your hands in water while you are wearing an opal ring. Opals contain water and the harsh detergents in dish or laundry soaps can damage the stone. In addition, do not garden while wearing an opal ring, because continuous contact with the soil can abrade the surface of your stone.

To clean an opal, wipe it with a soft, clean cloth dipped in a solution of cool or lukewarm water. You can add a few drops of mild facial liquid soap to the water you dip the cloth in. Even with this gentle approach, we advise you to hold your opal jewellery over a bowl or jar while you clean it, as the jewellery may slip from your hands.