[Jewelry making - Article 00200] - Re: [Orchid] Working with opals

[The Doctor]

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>         So basically, my question is, can i use shellack to secure an
>     piece to be set with opals? Will using metho affect the opal? 

    Yes to the first question, no to the second. The answer is that the
    effects of the shellac and methylated spirits over such a short term
    will not likely affect opal. Just don't soak it in the spirits for a
    long period, and be meticulous about removing all of it from the
    gem. 

    Opal does contain water, but it is typically only 3% to 10%, more or
    less. And while it is called "porous" it isn't like a kitchen
    sponge, either. It's still a rock that can absorb liquids, but it
    isn't like you can squeeze it and sop up the fluid that spurted out
    of an LPG tank. It takes a lot more time than cleaning shellac with
    spirits would take. Have fun setting your opals :-) 

James in SoFl

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