Opal Lexicon

Cutting, polishing, repairing opal: what a workshop can do

A goldsmith can still cut or polish an opal years after purchase. Whether it is worth it depends on the damage: a dull stone is a different case from a cracked one. The article shows the grinding s...

Is opal fragile? Hardness, cracks and water

An opal does not shatter at the first knock, but it reacts to two things: quartz dust that scratches it, and sudden dryness that draws cracks. What that means for ring, necklace and daily life is h...

Opal as an Engagement Ring: Does It Take Daily Life?

No other stone is like it, but it is softer than a diamond. When an opal works as an engagement ring and when it honestly does not.

Opal Care: Keeping the Fire Alive

Caring for your opal properly is simpler than its reputation suggests. You really only need to know one thing: how your stone stands with water.