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Jewellery Guides

A Guide to Opals

What are opals?

Opals are a delicate gemstone formed through a fascinating natural process involving water and silica.

Over millions of years, water carrying dissolved silica seeps into cracks in the earth's surface. As the water evaporates, it leaves behind layers of silica, which gradually harden into opal. Opals have signature colourful characteristics which occurs when light interacts with the silica spheres within the opal, creating a rainbow-like effect.

Where can you find opals?

The uniqueness of nature's artistry is showcased through the different colours of opals. Most opals are found in Australia from famous opal fields such as Lightning Ridge, where the precious black opal can be found.

Opals found in Ethiopia are prized for their translucent appearance with flashes of yellow and orange colours and a hazy white glow.

Cassandra's favourite opals are the fire opals, which can be found in Mexico. These opals are treasured for their prized warm hues, ranging from fiery reds and oranges to yellows. Fire opals have a striking and almost molten appearance, giving them a distinctive allure that sets them apart from other opals.

How to care for your opals

Opals are much softer than many other gemstones and have a delicate nature, requiring special care.

Opals have an exceptionally porous nature, meaning they can shatter if they become too dry. Cassandra recommends storing your opal jewellery in a cool, dark place with a small container of water kept nearby to prevent your opals from drying out.

As a delicate gemstone, opals are sensitive to chemicals or variable temperatures, therefore we recommend preventing exposure to any cosmetics, skincare or perfumes.

Model wearing handcrafted white gold jewellery with blue opals.

How to style your opals

Opals have colourful and vibrant hues which should be the focus when styling them. Cassandra recommends wearing your eye-catching opal jewellery with white gold jewels and diamond pavé to allow the fascinating colours to shine through.