Handmade Gemstone Jewelry - Opal

Opal is one of the most desired gemstones. It is listed among diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, and rubies. Opal is loved for its beauty.  If you are lookig for opal handmade gemstone jewelry, it is important to look at its quality. When looking for a diamond, we look at its color, clarity, carat, and cut. And when looking at emerald and rubies we think about the natural inclisoons and those that have a great color. When looking at gold you think about wether it is 18k, 14k, or 10k.

But how to you choose jewelry?

This particular type of jewelry is called opalescense or iridesncens. (or opal)  The extent of colors determines wether the jewelry is good quality or not. It is difficult to find good quality opal.

There are 4 types of opals that can be used in jewelry : black, white, crystal  and boulder opal.

The black opal is very hard to find and valuable.

Black Opal

The White opal is probably the cheapest and easiest to find. 

Leespicedragon's Photo

The crystal opals are translucent, have a sharp clarity and display many shades of color. The boulder opal is formed amongst ironstone and is quite cheap. 

There is quite selection of colors that you can choose. Blue and green opal is sold the most in jewelry because it is attractive and cheap. Orange and Red opal is more rare and desired.

When looking at a piece of opal jewelry, you should look at the colors and make sure they flow naturally like a stream with no geometric pattern. Their color should look dappled like in the bottom of a pond when the sun is shining.  

This glass-like gemstone is quite delicate and needs a lot of care.  Opal is not as durable as some gemstones like emerald, diamond or alexandrite. When cleaning, make sure to avoid materials that could scratch or chip your opal such as scrowers, scrubbing brushes. Always make sure that you remove any opal jewelry when using hairspray or cleaning with household chemicals. 

 Theappraiserlader's Photo

Avoid soaking your opal jewelry in oil or water. Mix a small amount of room temperature water with some detergent and wipe jewelry with a soft cloth. When you have done this, you can remove anything stuck to your opal jewelry with your finger tip or a soft brush.  One you have done this, rince throughly without submerging completly in water. Pat dry to prevent peices of stone breaking off. Always wash with room temperature water. If you did it hot or col it could ruin the opal permantently.  

Treat with care and store in a safe place when not in used. If you treat your Opalhandmade gemstone jewelry well, it should last a life time!