How to Clean Fire Opal
There are many kinds of opals, including the noble or precious opal, the common or potch opal and the fire opal. These classifications relate to the color of the stone. The term "fire" with reference to opals refers to the play of color or the way in which the colors appear to move or flash as the result of the refraction of light. Fire opals, however, are not named for this phenomenon but instead are named for their bright orange color. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
-
-
1
Opals are soft stones that do not stand up well to harsh use. On a hardness scale, they are roughly the equivalent of glass, which is far softer than most gemstones. Even a coating of dust, when wiped away, can abrade the surface and cause the opal to lose luster. The best way to protect opals from damage is to keep them clean and dry in the first place. This means they should be kept in a clean dry container and should not be worn during activities that might expose them to dirt or grime, such as housekeeping or gardening. If opals do become dull due to excessive wear or abrasive cleaning practices, they can be polished to their original luster by a professional.
-
2
All opals, including fire opals, are sensitive to sudden changes in temperature. While they can survive some degree of heat or cold, they cannot survive being exposed to both within a short period of time; sudden temperature changes can cause them to crack. For this reason, experts recommend that they be cleaned using a soft cloth or brush, tepid water and a mild detergent.
-
-
3
Opals contain moisture. Some people store opals in glycerin to protect them from the loss of this essential moisture. This is not recommended, since it can actually draw moisture away from the opal. Also, storing opals in glycerin means that they must undergo extensive and potentially damaging cleaning in order to remove the glycerin residue and restore their luster. A better practice is to store your opals in soft fabric or in water.
-
1
