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Opal Myths:

All opals display a "play of color" or rainbows.

No.  Most opal does not.  Only precious opal displays a "play of colors."  Common opal is widely available and does not show a play of color.  Rather than the play of color, the distinctive quality of all opals is its particular hazy, watery appearance.  Even perfectly clear common opals will retain a kind of "soft" look that only an opal would have.

You have to keep opals soaking in water otherwise they will dry up and crack.

Nope.  It is true that over time, if kept in dry conditions, an opal will crack.  However, if it is continually worn against the skin (and no exposure to intense dry heat), the opal will last forever and never crack.  Just the moisture that evaporates from the skin is enough.

The opal is "unheated"

If you see, "treatments: unheated," you know you are buying from someone who is either intentionally deceptive or doesn't know much about opals.  Opals are never heat treated.  In fact, exposing them to high heat will make them crack or split into peices.  It is also misleading in that most opals ARE treated in other ways, such as  coating with resin.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Product name	Natural Opal
Quantity	1 Piece (s)
Color	Fire Orange
Shape/Cut	Oval Cut
Size	12.8 x 12.3 x 5.3 mm.
Weight	3.58 CT.
Clarity	VVS
Treatment	Unheated
Origin	Ethiopia

How the TYPE affects the value of an Opal
How COLOR affects the value of an Opal
How PATTERN affects the value of an Opal
How CUT  affects the value of an Opal
Opal treatments and synthetics
Opal meaning and symbology
Opal myths and misconceptions

 

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