How to Pick an Opal Birthstone
The delicate opal birthstone is unique among the colored gems, with refractive qualities that create a rainbow effect, especially when tilted into the light. Most varieties of this non-crystallized silica are ground, rather than facet-cut. The intrinsic reflection of light doesn't need a facet, and the soft stone, which is prone to cracking, is more stable when left uncut. Discover how to pick among the major types of lovely opals.
Things You'll Need:
Reputable dealer
Synthetic and natural light
Documentation of authenticity
Look into Harlequin or Fire Opals
Step
1
View harlequin or fire opals set into birthstone jewelry in person, at a reputable dealer's store. Catalog or website photos won't do justice to the opal's signature flashes of color, which require movement to see.
Step
2
Ask the dealer whether the stone is natural or has been treated to fill inclusions. Natural stones will have a higher value.
Step
3
Pick an opal in the fine-jewelry setting of your choice or a more rustic piece, such as a polished boulder opal left in its natural shape.
Select a Common Opal
Step
1
Pick a common opal that is thickly ground, especially when it is to be used in a ring setting. These will be less likely to suffer chips and scratches.
Step
2
Select pale common opal jewelry that complements your complexion. View it in various lighting situations before buying.
Step
3
Visit the International Colored Gemstone Association website for more information about opals (see Resources below).
Tips & Warnings
The opal birthstone marks an October birthday or a fourteenth anniversary, but its popularity is widespread for much more than just these special occasions.
"Inclusions," or natural internal fractures, give opals their unique refractive and reflective characteristics.
Harlequin opal is a scintillating stone that flashes reds, yellows and greens when polished. Fire opal reflects darker color wavelengths and may be faceted. Common opal is milky white or pink with less dramatic reflective properties.
Keep your opal jewelry "humidified" by wearing it often. Never spray it with water to achieve this state.
Consider your purpose in buying opal jewelry. Each variety is markedly different in look.
Opal's high water content makes it susceptible to damage from severe temperatures or chemicals. Don't use aerosols around your jewelry or leave it in a hot car.
Opal's softness lets it scratch and chip easily. Protect your jewelry, especially rings, from coming in contact with other objects, even in your jewelry drawer.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2095322_pick-opal-birthstone.html
The delicate opal birthstone is unique among the colored gems, with refractive qualities that create a rainbow effect, especially when tilted into the light. Most varieties of this non-crystallized silica are ground, rather than facet-cut. The intrinsic reflection of light doesn't need a facet, and the soft stone, which is prone to cracking, is more stable when left uncut. Discover how to pick among the major types of lovely opals.
Things You'll Need:
Reputable dealer
Synthetic and natural light
Documentation of authenticity
Look into Harlequin or Fire Opals
Step
1
View harlequin or fire opals set into birthstone jewelry in person, at a reputable dealer's store. Catalog or website photos won't do justice to the opal's signature flashes of color, which require movement to see.
Step
2
Ask the dealer whether the stone is natural or has been treated to fill inclusions. Natural stones will have a higher value.
Step
3
Pick an opal in the fine-jewelry setting of your choice or a more rustic piece, such as a polished boulder opal left in its natural shape.
Select a Common Opal
Step
1
Pick a common opal that is thickly ground, especially when it is to be used in a ring setting. These will be less likely to suffer chips and scratches.
Step
2
Select pale common opal jewelry that complements your complexion. View it in various lighting situations before buying.
Step
3
Visit the International Colored Gemstone Association website for more information about opals (see Resources below).
Tips & Warnings
The opal birthstone marks an October birthday or a fourteenth anniversary, but its popularity is widespread for much more than just these special occasions.
"Inclusions," or natural internal fractures, give opals their unique refractive and reflective characteristics.
Harlequin opal is a scintillating stone that flashes reds, yellows and greens when polished. Fire opal reflects darker color wavelengths and may be faceted. Common opal is milky white or pink with less dramatic reflective properties.
Keep your opal jewelry "humidified" by wearing it often. Never spray it with water to achieve this state.
Consider your purpose in buying opal jewelry. Each variety is markedly different in look.
Opal's high water content makes it susceptible to damage from severe temperatures or chemicals. Don't use aerosols around your jewelry or leave it in a hot car.
Opal's softness lets it scratch and chip easily. Protect your jewelry, especially rings, from coming in contact with other objects, even in your jewelry drawer.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2095322_pick-opal-birthstone.html
