How to Clean Opal Jewelry

Opal jewelry is made of silica spheres. That makes it beautiful but also delicate. Because opal is not a stone but rather a combination of minerals, it is not nearly as hard or durable as a diamond or sapphire. It's recommended that you wear opal jewelry only on special occasions and not every day. You also need to clean the jewelry in a special way so you don't scratch it.

Instructions

Instructions

1

Determine if your jewelry contains a solid opal or a doublet or triplet. A solid opal is just the stone without any type of backing on it. Doublets have two layers of opal that are glued together. Triplets have two layers of opal with a layer of clear quartz on top. You can tell this just by looking at your jewelry. If you can't, ask a local jeweler.

2

Place your opal jewelry on a soft towel or cloth. Make a cleaning solution of a half cup of lukewarm water and one drop of unscented dish liquid. Stir.

3

Dip the solid opal jewelry directly in the solution. If you have a doublet or triplet, leave it on the towel. (Immersing it in water can weaken the glue.) Dip a soft-bristled toothbrush in the cleaning solution. Scrub every piece of the jewelry, including the opal itself, with the toothbrush.

4

Rinse your jewelry under the tap when you're finished scrubbing. (Don't forget to put the stopper in the sink first.) Put it back on the towel.

5

Pat the opal with a tissue, microfiber jewelry cloth or small piece of silk. This will help the opal dry quickly and give it a shiny appearance. Let the other parts of the jewelry air dry or wipe them dry with the jewelry cloth.