how to clean and polish australian black opal

More than any other gemstone, you must know how to clean and polish the australian black opal properly. This is because these opals are classified as a very soft stone. When you purchase this glowing gemstone from a quality gem stone dealer you should be given some instruction about the care of opals so that you don't accidentally damage it while cleaning it. Ideally you should never clean a black opal unless you absolutely have to.

If you know nothing about the care of opals, these are the four key things to remember.

1. Never use an ultrasonic cleaner on an australian black opal as it could fracture and dry out.
2. Never use soap on a soft and porous stone like a black opal or the gem will absorb the soap and become discolored.
3. Never use ammonia or you will dissolve the stone or turn it yellow or green
4. Never dry an opal under strong lights or with a blow dryer or the stone will dry out and lose its luster.

The best way to clean your australian black opal is to simply wipe it gently with a slightly moist cloth. Never polish an opal with anything roughly and especially a toothbrush as fibers could be caught in the stone's fissures and cause them to crack. Brushing or vigorously polishing this stone could also damage any sealant on the stone and cause it to crack as well.

The reason that opal care is much different than caring for a crystal stone such as a sapphire or a ruby is that it is a rock. The difference between a crystal and a rock is that a rock contains many crystals. The spaces between these crystals are what makes the australian black opal so sparkly and multi-reflective. However these spaces can also absorb water and damage any metal backing on the ring. If you really want your black australian opal to glow and shine, simply store it somewhere humid like in the bathroom.

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