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Opal, the birthstone for October, is known for its beautiful play of colour that stems from the refraction of light within the stone. Ethiopian water opals appear more translucent and jelly-like than the more well-known Australian opals.

Opals are very sensitive to abrasion, so should be worn and stored with care. Avoid storing opals in direct sunlight or hot places, and remove opal jewellery before showering or bathing. As opal is porous, it can absorb water and perfumes, hairspray, makeup and detergents. We recommend cleaning opals with a soft dry cloth only. If you'd prefer us to clean your opal jewellery, feel free to bring it in store.

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Opals do require some extra care when wearing and storing. As they are porous, keep them away from detergents and alcohol, as these can discolour them. Avoid abrasion by never wearing them during sports or activities where they are likely to get knocked or come into contact with harder substances (e.g. granite, stainless steel etc). We would also recommend that you do not store opals in direct sunlight as both the light and the heat can affect them. However, as with other sensitive gemstones, with a little extra TLC you can wear and enjoy your opals for generations.

It's also worth noting that Ethiopian Water Opals are often hydrophane, which can lead to a temporary change in the colour and clarity of the stone when immersed in water. This effect remains until it dries out. For this reason you should keep your opal away from liquids which could be absorbed by the stone.