[Jewelry making - Article 00814] - Re: [Orchid] Opal care

[mark ruby]

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>             I purchased the most amazing opal. The dealer called it
>     Nevada opal,... Someone suggested placing it in a plastic bag with
>     a wet tissue to maintain a high humidity level. Any other thoughts
>     on its care? 

    Karen, Most, not all, Nevada opal is unstable. If you have to take
    extraordinary measures to care for it, it is not suitable for jewelry
    use. Leave the stone out of water for a time to see if crazing will
    be a problem. Keep a very close eye on it. If you see any cracks form,
    place it back in the water and consider it "specimen only". Cracks
    can take weeks to form, sometimes only hours in a very dry climate.
    It is said that you can "cure" opal by keeping it semi-moist and
    allowing it to dry very slowly over a long period of time. (months)
    But this is risky practice as it could go to any climate once it
    leaves your hands and could still craze down the road. I hope your
    piece is stable - as Nevada (and Oregon) opal can be some of the
    best! 

Mark Thomas Ruby
SunSpirit Designs
Loveland, CO
970  669-7075

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