Kleshna White Opal Lady Earrings. By Kleshna. Stunning opal and Swarovski crystal hook and hinge earrings with sterling silver locket decoration.Comes in own designer pouch.

About Opal

Origin Forms very slowly in sedimentary rocks (e.g. sandstone) where water is present.

Composition Hydrated silica SiO2n(H2O)

Structure No crystal structure, instead a regular arrangement of miniscule silica spheres which diffract, or scatter, light. Variations in sphere size determine the range of colours seen.

Colours ‘Precious opals’ all show some internal ‘colour play’ / ‘flashes’ Blue / green opals are very popular, those containing reds / oranges / violets usually demand a premium.

‘Fire opals’ refer to red / orange clear opals (NOT from the internal flashes mentioned above).

Sources opals are from the extremely hot, dry centre of Australia where the opal miners not only extract opal under-ground, their houses are also underground!

History Shakespeare referred to opal as ‘the queen of gems’ in Twelfth Night. Pliny, in Roman times described opal as having ‘the fire of the carbuncle, the brilliant purple of the amethyst and the sea green of the emerald all shining together in incredible union’.

The Arabs believed opals fell from Heaven in flashes of lightning, gaining their fiery flashes as they fell.

Story Opals can be somewhat controversial – unlucky? This idea has come about from people not knowing how to look after opal stones. Opals are beautiful, inspirational and suited to everyone! Obviously their properties may result in careless owners suffering damage – a natural consequence of their own behaviour NOT opals being unlucky. It is also said that the opal cutters were always the poorest of the stone cutters as opals are easy to damage during cutting (so the cutters’ profits would be lost).

HOW TO CARE FOR OPALS

The particular characteristics of opals mean that certain rules must be followed to keep the stones in good condition:

• Avoid scratching the relatively soft surface

• Avoid very high temperatures (e.g. very hot water) or extreme low humidity (e.g. bank vaults!)

• Clean, if necessary, with mild detergent and a damp cloth or soft toothbrush

• If storing for long periods, pop in cotton wool in a sealed plastic bag with a few drops of water.