How should I care for my Australian opal jewelry?

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Opal jewelry can be cleaned at home by using a soft cloth or brush and warm water with a mild soap. Avoid using ultrasonic cleaning machines and chemical detergents. We recommend taking your opal jewelry to your local jeweler several times a year for a professional cleaning and safety check. Store your opal jewelry in a soft pouch or fabric lined box separate from other jewelry pieces as to not scratch or accidentally damage your opal. Avoid storing your opal jewelry in extreme hot or cold environments, wearing in hot tubs, while doing household chores, extreme physical activities, and manual labor.

 

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Will my Australian opal change color or loose its "fire" over time?

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No. The colors your Australian opal displays at time of purchase will stay exactly the same over its lifespan. From its original molecular formation, to mining, cutting, polishing, and being set into jewelry, your opal will display its original color and “fire” with proper care and safe-handling.

 

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Are your opals natural?​

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Yes. All of our solid opals are 100% natural and untreated. Our opals are hand cut and polished in-house and are not enhanced in any way. 

We do carry a small selection of doublets which are available upon request. Doublets are assembled opals which are composed of a piece of natural opal set onto an ironstone backing. Assembled opals are always disclosed.

 

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What determines the value of an opal?

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Factors determining the value of an opal include the opal’s origin, type, play-of-colors, brightness, body tone, pattern, size, shape, and cut. Australia his home to the world’s largest supply of precious opals, including the most coveted, rare black opal from Lightning Ridge. Natural opals which exhibit a black body tone, a strong play-of-color with red display, electric brilliance, and a rare pattern are the most valuable opals on the market.

 

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Where do opals come from and how are they formed?

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Check out the Opal EDU section on our website for detailed information on opal formation, types, and locales.

 

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Your site mentions sustainability, ethical mining, and responsible sourcing, what does this mean?

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Efforts towards development and knowledge surrounding transparent and sustainable practices in the opal community is very important to us. Sustainability, ethics, and responsibility in the opal industry lends itself to better futures and livelihoods for the miners, local communities, and the mines. It involves a holistic approach to all that is involved in the industry, not just the mining and extraction process. Traceable gemstones means we know where our opals are mined, sourced, and cut gives us the ability to answer any questions you may have so that you have the full story behind each precious opal, from mine to market.

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Is it unlucky to wear an opal if it is not your birthstone?

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No. In fact, since ancient times opals were thought to be the luckiest gem of them all due to its ability to display the colors of every other gemstone at once. The superstition of opals being bad luck stems from a misinterpretation of the 1829 novel Anne of Geierstein by Sir Walter Scott and does not derive from any ancient belief or experience.