Opal is a gemstone that requires no special care, other than the usual attention given to any other precious stone. However, if you wish to clean your opal, wash it in a basin of plain water at room temperature. Don't add any chemicals, such as detergent, but use a soft bristle or nylon brush and scrub the gem thoroughly. Don't leave the opal submerged in water longer than necessary to clean it. The purpose of this process is to remove dust. Once washed, dry it with a soft microfiber cloth and your opal will regain its original luster. With this simple but effective procedure, you can enjoy your opal for a lifetime.
Do not use abrasives, polishing pastes, glycerin, acidic or alkaline detergents which may damage its mineral structure.
If you ask a jeweler to clean your set opal, remind them not to use ultrasonic cleaning, as this can damage the surface of your gemstone. Rhodium plating should also be done before setting the opal.
Some recommendations: don't leave your opal on the dashboard of your car exposed to the sun in the middle of summer, or, conversely, don't put the gem from a hot environment into a refrigerator, as the thermal shock can damage the gem and compromise its stability. Indeed, since opal is composed of a percentage of water, it can suffer from dehydration or expansion of the water molecules, which can compromise the stability of the gem itself.
The best care you can give your opal is to wear it as often as possible, and you'll see that it will always retain its vivid, bright colors. Why? It's simple, as we've already mentioned: the gem, being composed of part water, finds the ideal environment with the humidity and warmth of your body, and this helps it maintain its natural balance.
Let us repeat: THE BEST CARE YOU CAN GIVE YOUR OPAL IS TO WEAR IT.
If for some reason your opal has become cloudy, don't despair; it can still be polished. OpaleMio has a laboratory specifically designed for opal polishing and can polish your precious opal, restoring its original color and brilliance.