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Finding the Perfect Opal Jewellery
The ‘perfect opal’ depends on a whole load of factors such as body colour, its rainbow colours, the patterns these colours make, as well as the brilliance and opacity of the stone itself. There are some things to look for when you’re shopping for opal jewellery though, like the brightness of the stone (nobody has time for a dull opal) and the ‘dominant colour’ that dances across its surface. In terms of value, flashes of red are best, followed by orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. But here’s where it gets complicated, because a dull red opal might not be as valuable as a brilliant violet gem. So, our advice when looking for real opal jewellery is to choose something vibrant. Opals are ‘living’ gems, so they should glisten as if they're alive.
Opals are made up of tiny spheres of silica. As light passes through these spheres (and the spaces between them), it’s diffracted and produces different rainbow shades. The order and size of these spheres changes what colours your eyes see. In some unusual cases, the way light diffracts can cause colours to appear in incredible patterns, like thick stripes, feathers, and broad brushstroke-like flashes.
History of the Opal Gemstone
Opals have a bit of a murky history. The Ancient Greeks loved them as fortune-telling gemstones, while the Roman’s prized opal gemstone jewellery as a symbol of hope. By the time the 18th and 19th centuries came along, the wealthy gemstone jewellery wearers of the day believed opal was bad luck and potentially dangerous. This opal myth was so believed that Queen Victoria’s granddaughter, Queen Alexandra, removed 11 perfectly precious opals from a tiara she had inherited and swapped them for rubies.
Caring for Opal Jewellery
This reputation for bad luck probably stems from the physical properties of opal itself. Opals contain up to 30% water, which means they can dry out in hot conditions and crack. We can just imagine the face of an 18th-century aristocrat waking up to find irreversible damage to their precious jewellery… no wonder they thought opals were a bad omen.
Of course, today we know that opals aren’t a foreteller of doom, they’re just more delicate than other precious gems. Opal gemstones are soft and care should be taken to avoid dropping or knocking them on hard surfaces. If you have a beautiful opal ring, for example, it’s probably best removed before doing anything physical or hard-hitting on the hands. You also need to be careful with detergents, perfumes and shop-bought jewellery cleaners as these can all damage opals. Make sure you remove that beloved opal necklace before spraying your perfume. In fact, precious metals don’t much care for perfumes and other abrasive chemicals either, so whether you have a silver opal necklace or an opal pendant on a gold chain, you’re better off removing them before spraying perfume to protect both the stone and the chain.
Which Opal Jewellery to Choose
Some of the most popular types of opal jewellery are opal earrings and opal pendants, as they are less likely to be damaged when worn. If you have fallen head over heels for real opal rings or have your eye on a stunning opal bracelet, just make sure to choose one with a clever setting, such as a rub-over, bezel or halo setting. These goldsmithing tricks protect the stone and its radiant rainbow flashes.
Or opt for a real opal necklace which is sure to be a talking point each time you wear it. Opal necklaces are unique in their suitability for all occasions. With a variety of colours, they pair perfectly with a range of colours, whether you’re dressed up or down.
Gifting? The opal birthstone is the perfect gift for those born in October. Whether it’s your partner, best friend or family member.
Opals are a spectacular addition to any jewellery box and not just because they’re great to look at. Because of the way it is formed, each opal is entirely unique. No two will display the same rainbow flashes of colour, which means your opal is quite literally your opal. Not bad for an ‘unlucky’ gem.
To look at our opal collections and get advice from our in-store experts, why not book an appointment where you can get all the birthstone knowledge you might need?