Opal is a singular and interesting gemstone that has been utilized in jewelry for millennia. With its distinctive play of colors and iridescence, opal jewelry is each stunning and attention-grabbing. Opals undoubtedly deserve a spot in your jewelry assortment, however what do you actually learn about them?
On this article, we’ll discover the historical past of opal jewelry, how opals are shaped, and easy methods to look after opal jewelry to make sure that it stays trying stunning for years to come back.
Let’s get began …
How are Opals Fashioned?
The method begins when silica-rich water seeps down into cracks and crevices within the Earth’s crust. Over time, the water evaporates, abandoning a deposit of silica. As this course of repeats, layer upon layer of silica builds up, ultimately forming a strong mineral deposit that we all know as opal.
The method can take anyplace from 5 million to twenty million years, relying on the particular situations and elements concerned. The result’s a singular and exquisite gemstone with a definite play of color, created by the best way mild refracts by the layers of silica.
Not all opals characteristic the iridescence and play of color seen notably in Australian opals, however as a substitute have extra of a strong colouring which may be white, yellow, pink, orange, pink and even black.
The Historical past of Opal Jewelry
Opals have been utilized in jewelry for hundreds of years, with a number of the earliest examples relationship again to historical Greece and Rome. Within the Center Ages, opals have been believed to have magical powers, they usually have been extremely prized by royalty and the rich.
By the nineteenth century, opal jewelry was changing into extra extensively obtainable, and it turned a well-liked selection for engagement rings and different big day jewelry.
Within the twentieth century, opal jewelry turned much more in style and at the moment it stays a well-liked selection for jewelry lovers at the moment. With its distinctive play of colors and iridescence, opal jewelry is an effective way so as to add some color and persona to your jewelry assortment.
About Australian Opals
Australia is thought for producing a number of the most interesting opals on the planet, with over 95% of the world’s provide of opals coming from the nation.
The primary opal was found in Australia within the 1840s, nevertheless it wasn’t till the late 1800s that opal mining started in earnest. The primary industrial opal mine opened in White Cliffs, New South Wales in 1890, and shortly after, different deposits have been present in areas corresponding to Coober Pedy, Lightning Ridge and Andamooka.
Opal mining in Australia remains to be largely a small-scale business, with most of the mines being family-run operations. Nevertheless, there are additionally bigger mining firms that make use of a whole bunch of individuals and produce vital quantities of opal every year.
Right now, Australian opals are extremely wanted by collectors, jewelry designers and jewelry lovers all over the world. With their distinctive and fascinating play of color, Australian opals proceed to be a very talked-about selection for these searching for a particular and exquisite gemstone.
How you can Take care of Opal Jewelry
Opals are comparatively delicate and require a little bit of particular care to maintain them trying their finest. Listed below are some ideas for caring to your opal jewelry:
- Opal is sort of a mushy gemstone, so retailer your opal jewelry individually from different jewelry to keep away from scratches and injury. Tender fabric pouches or jewelry containers are perfect for storage of treasured jewelry.
- Clear your opal jewelry often to take away dust and oil buildup. To scrub opal jewelry, merely wash it in heat soapy water, rinse and dry totally. Try our complete jewelry cleansing information for extra ideas.
- Keep away from getting your opal jewelry moist often or for prolonged durations, particularly if the opals are doublets or triplets which have synthetic backings. We advocate taking it off when showering or swimming. In case your opal jewelry will get moist, it is best to dry it shortly and totally to stop injury.
- For prime worth opal jewelry, we advocate having your items professionally inspected and cleaned periodically to make sure that it stays in prime situation.
- Keep away from exposing opal jewelry to harsh chemical compounds, corresponding to bleach and cleansing brokers, as these can injury the gemstone. Take care if utilizing chemical cleaners on treasured metallic which has opals set into it: clear across the stones as finest you’ll be able to and remember to rinse and dry totally if you’re carried out.
- By no means expose opal jewelry to excessive temperature modifications, as this could trigger the gemstone to crack or develop into discoloured. Specifically do not use a steam cleaner on opals.
Add Some Lovely Opal Jewelry to your Assortment
Opal jewelry is a gorgeous and distinctive selection of gemstone for jewelry lovers. Whether or not you are searching for an important day piece or simply an intriguing and subtly vibrant addition to your assortment, opals are a really particular choice.
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At Simone Walsh Jewelry we’ve got a collection of inexpensive opal jewelry, together with some small and exquisite Australian opals, Mexican fireplace opals and strong color variants in pinks, yellows and whites.
Try our opal jewelry vary, together with our full gemstone jewelry assortment. We’re certain you will discover one thing you’re keen on.