How to Cure Opals
Opals contain water. Because they are hydrous silica, they can dry out and crack. Therefore, when opals are first removed from the earth and their water source, they must be cured, or allowed to stabilize in their new (unearthed) environment. If buying opals already set in jewelry, this process should have already been done. If you have found opals and are unearthing them yourself, the curing process is a relatively simple one.
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Instructions
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Fill a bucket with damp sand.
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Bury the opal in the damp sand.
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Place the bucket in an area that is sheltered and will maintain a moderate temperature.
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Allow the sand to dry naturally and slowly. At the end of this process, your opal will be cured. The length of drying time will depend on how damp the sand is and on how big the bucket of sand is.
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Tips & Warnings
Before curing, remove any rough or undesirable areas on the opal. For this, you'll need a diamond cutter/saw. If inexperienced at using a cutter, or you don't have a cutter, have the opal shaped for you by an experienced craftsman. Use your cutter according to its directions. In cutting opals, try to minimize waste and keep your stone as large as possible.
References
- Photo Credit Precious Mexican Supreme Opal image by Mexgems from Fotolia.com
