[Jewelry making - Article 00328] - Re: [Orchid] Disputing all opal cracks theory

[David L. Huffman]

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>         I would like to dispute the claims made that all opal cracks
>     eventually Christine 

    I'm not a gemologist or lapidary artist, but I would tend to agree
    with you and the others who've disputed this claim that all opals
    eventually crack. I base my opinion on my experience with repairing
    estate jewelry.  I have seen many, many opals, some very old, with
    abraision, chips, etc., all probably from wear.  But on rare
    occaissions, I've seen opals with multiple fractures that appear to
    be the result of internal stresses rather than external impact.  I
    have strong suspicions that the primary cause of this condition is
    that the opal has been subject to extreme or abrupt temperature
    changes, such as putting an opal in the jewelry case, under the hot
    lights, or in a store window with the sun blazing in on, then back
    into the nice, cold safe for the night.  Or wearing an opal ring to
    do dishes in hot water, then rinsing one's hands in the cold water. 

David L. Huffman

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