Don't Let Chemicals Come In Contact With Your Ethiopian Opal
Your Ethiopian opal ring is something you likely can't wait to share with your friends. You'll be able to keep it for a long time if you take good care of it. One of the most important parts of Ethiopian Opal care is to make sure that it doesn't come in contact with liquid chemicals.
For a while, Australian opals were the most common type of opal you could find. However, Ethiopia has entered the market as another source of opals, including the fire opals. While they are beautiful, they usually cost less than opals from other places. What's also amazing about Ethiopian opals is that their popularity has spread despite the lack of a marketing campaign to raise public awareness about them. Instead, Ethiopian opals have become popular due to their beauty alone.
Protecting Your Opal Ring
Cleaning your Ethiopian opal with clean water is a great idea, but when your opal comes in contact with any other type of substance, you may find that it has become stained permanently. For example, if you don't take your ring off while washing your hands, the soap residue may stain the opal. Applying hairspray or perfume can lead to staining residues ruining your opal. You should also take your ring off when cleaning around the house.
Don't Worry About Opals Absorbing Water
One interesting feature about Ethiopian opals is that they will change color when they have soaked in water for a period of time and become yellow or brown. However, they will regain their fire after they have dried.
Opals absorb water, and it can take weeks for the water to seep out depending on how long the opals have been soaked. For that reason, you should only keep the opals wet for a short period if you intend to wear your ring soon.
Opals Change Color
Highly transparent and slightly orange Ethiopian opals can sometimes become more reddish. This is not the result of contact with chemicals, but a normal phenomenon.
Don't Scratch Your Opal
Beware of abrasive cloths with Ethiopian opal, since they might scratch the stone. Instead, use a non-abrasive cloth or a sponge. When cleaning the opal, make sure to do so gently. Opals are very stable compared with some other gemstones, but it doesn't hurt to be careful. They are not stable enough to handle ultrasonic cleaners, which are used with some other gemstones, and might crack.
Share