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 positively deserve a spot in your jewelry assortment, however what do you actually find out about them?
On this article, we’ll discover the historical past of opal jewelry, how opals are shaped, and how you can look after opal jewelry to make sure that it stays trying stunning for years to come back.
Let’s get began …
How are Opals Shaped?
The method begins when silica-rich water seeps down into cracks and crevices within the Earth’s crust. Over time, the water evaporates, forsaking a deposit of silica. As this course of repeats, layer upon layer of silica builds up, finally 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 components concerned. The result’s a singular and delightful gemstone with a definite play of color, created by the way in which gentle refracts by way of the layers of silica.
Not all opals characteristic the iridescence and play of color seen significantly in Australian opals, however as a substitute have extra of a strong colouring which could 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 among the earliest examples relationship again to historical Greece and Rome. Within the Center Ages, opals have been believed to have magical powers, and so they have been extremely prized by royalty and the rich.
By the nineteenth century, opal jewelry was changing into extra extensively obtainable, and it grew to become a well-liked alternative for engagement rings and different big day jewelry.
Within the twentieth century, opal jewelry grew to become much more standard and immediately it stays a well-liked alternative for jewelry lovers immediately. With its distinctive play of colors and iridescence, opal jewelry is a good way so as to add some color and persona to your jewelry assortment.
About Australian Opals
Australia is thought for producing among the best opals on the earth, with over 95% of the world’s provide of opals coming from the nation.
The primary opal was found in Australia within the 1840s, however 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 equivalent 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. Nonetheless, there are additionally bigger mining firms that make use of tons of of individuals and produce vital quantities of opal every year.
In the present day, Australian opals are extremely wanted by collectors, jewelry designers and jewelry lovers world wide. With their distinctive and charming play of color, Australian opals proceed to be a extremely popular alternative for these searching for a particular and delightful gemstone.
Learn how to Take care of Opal Jewelry
Opals are comparatively delicate and require a little bit of particular care to maintain them trying their finest. Listed here are some ideas for caring to your opal jewelry:
- Opal is kind of a comfortable gemstone, so retailer your opal jewelry individually from different jewelry to keep away from scratches and harm. Gentle material pouches or jewelry packing containers are perfect for storage of treasured jewelry.
- Clear your opal jewelry usually to take away grime 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 usually or for prolonged intervals, 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’s best to dry it shortly and totally to stop harm.
- For prime worth opal jewelry, we advocate having your items professionally inspected and cleaned periodically to make sure that it stays in high situation.
- Keep away from exposing opal jewelry to harsh chemical compounds, equivalent to bleach and cleansing brokers, as these can harm 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 make sure you rinse and dry totally if you’re performed.
- By no means expose opal jewelry to excessive temperature modifications, as this will trigger the gemstone to crack or develop into discoloured. Specifically do not use a steam cleaner on opals.
Add Some Stunning Opal Jewelry to your Assortment
Opal jewelry is a fantastic and distinctive alternative 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 actually particular possibility.
At Simone Walsh Jewelry we’ve a choice of inexpensive opal jewelry, together with some small and delightful 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 may discover one thing you’re keen on.