When it comes to white gold opal rings, diamonds may be the most popular choice, but they are far from the only one. Most ring designers will offer potential brides and grooms a variety of stone options to decorate their band with, allowing those on a budget and those who want a more original ring to walk away happy.
However, there is one type of stone that many engagement ring designers will vehemently warn their customers against, and that is the opal. This isn't because opal wouldn't make a stunning ring stone, because it does, but simply because, like most gemstones.
For example, most Australian opal designers know that opal is extremely fragile and breakable, which is in stark contrast to even a standard diamond. Because of this, this type of gemstone is definitely not recommended for people with an active lifestyle. Neglecting to remove the opal ring before beginning any slightly more demanding activity will almost certainly result in the black opal direct cracking or taking on a rough appearance.
Similarly, opal is extremely sensitive to heat, which can also pose a problem for brides and grooms who want to have one of these stones in their ring. Additionally, these stones should not be subject to sudden changes in temperature and can be affected by something as simple as stepping out of a centrally heated home into a freezing winter day. For these reasons and more, engagement ring designers try to discourage their customers from getting opals as much as possible.
However, braver souls who feel they can rise to the challenge of having one of these stones on their engagement ring will need to take a number of special precautions to ensure the maintenance of the stone. For example, opals should be polished regularly with a soft cloth and room temperature soap and water. Opal engagement ring owners should also avoid soaking the stone in water or chemical solutions, as these can cause the layers of the opal to separate.
More importantly, these stones should not be left anywhere they can be exposed to the elements, and again this includes things as common as open windows or radiators. Opal owners living in dry climates also need to make sure the stone is permanently hydrated, preferably with a piece of cotton inside a sealed plastic bag.
It is measures like these that lead engagement ring designers to consider opal a poor choice for a ring stone. However, customers who think they can handle the care that a stone of this type requires are most pleased with its high luster and its visually attractive colors.
Similarity 25%
