How to Clean Your Opal Jewelry

  Opal jewelry requires just a little extra special attention. When cleaning opals at home, keep in mind that they are more vulnerable to scratching than diamonds, rubies, and sapphires. Furthermore, some opals used in jewelry are not solid opals. Indeed, many vintage and antique opals are actually triplets, sometimes doublets.  

Types of Opal Jewelry

Opal doublets and opal triplets refer to gems that are made from thin slices of opal glued onto a backing. An opal triplet consists of a slice of opal pasted to a black backing with a layer of glass glued to the top. A doublet is similar, but without the glass top. (source) Introduced at the turn of the century, their popularity spiked in the early 1900s. As such, if you own a piece of antique opal jewelry and are unsure, have it inspected by your jeweler or an appraiser. Some opal sellers recommend placing your opal in the freezer for a few minutes to make the layering obvious. However, since opals are prone to a phenomenon called crazing, I do not recommend this approach. Knowing whether your jewelry contains a solid opal, a triplet, or a doublet plays an important role in how you clean your opal jewelry. So I recommend you take the time to find out.    

Cleaning Opal Jewelry

It is fairly simple to clean your opal jewelry at home. Simply follow a few important guidelines. First of all, the GIA categorically states that the only safe way to clean opals is with warm, soapy water. What could be simpler than warm, soapy water? Hold tight for a just a moment, though. If your opal jewelry contains a triplet or a doublet, then do not soak them in the water. Soaking in soapy water may erode the paste between the layers, causing them to separate. On the other hand, it's fine to soak solid, gem-quality opals, which actually contain between 2% and 6% water. If after soaking some grime remains, use a soft brush or jewelry cloth and gently wipe them off. Then rinse under clear, warm water. You may find some jewelers recommend using a soft toothbrush, but I recommend using a soft jewelry brush instead. Even a soft toothbrush may scratch your stone. It's simply not worth the risk. If your jewelry contains a doublet or triplet, use a damp jewelry cloth to wipe it clean. You can even rub a little dish soap on it. Then rinse it well under warm water and leave it to dry on a soft, dry towel before storing. Also, avoid the use of any mechanical cleaning devices, such as steamers or ultrasonic cleaners. The intense heat and/or vibration can cause an opal to fracture. I do recommend taking all of your jewelry to a professional jeweler at least once a year for a thorough inspection and cleaning. Otherwise, enjoy the soothing ritual of cleaning your opal jewelry at home. ~Angela Magnotti Andrews