Opals have been a part of AJJ designs for years, and their captivating beauty will continue to grace our collections for many more to come. While they may be a topic of discussion in the engagement ring world, with proper care and attention, you can wear your opal engagement ring every day.
Opals have always held a special place in my heart. Their mesmerising play of colour feels like tiny galaxies trapped within a perfect gem. Even today, knowing they come from the Earth fills me with wonder.
What Makes Opal So Special?
Opals boast a wider variety of colours and patterns than any other gemstone. Their unique iridescence creates a myriad of colours that shift and dance with the light. This allows for incredible customisation, letting you choose an opal that reflects your personality and creates a truly unique ring. From soft pastels to vibrant hues, opals can capture the essence of the wearer, making them perfect for those who love to express themselves through style.
Opals are also a responsible choice for an engagement ring. Primarily sourced from the Australian Opal fields, they often have a traceable supply chain from miners to cutters.
Types of Opal
There's a dazzling variety of opals, each with its distinct characteristics, origins, and price points!
- Black Opal: These are the rarest type of opal ever found and can fetch the highest price per carat than any other opal in the world. These opals originate from Lightning Ridge in New South Wales, Australia, and are cherished for their rarity and abundant beauty.
- Dark Opal: Occupying a middle ground between black opals and white opals in terms of body colour (N5-N6 on a grading scale). While opaque like black opals, they lack the deepest black tones. Although more common than black opals, their value hinges on the vibrancy and pattern of their colour play, not just their slightly lighter body shade.
- Boulder Opal: Unique for its formation in ironstone boulders, these opals have a naturally dark backing that accentuates their vibrant colours. This creates a captivating resemblance to the Australian outback landscape.
- Crystal Opal: Unlike most opals, crystal opals are transparent or translucent, allowing light to pass through and showcase a vibrant play of colour from within. This creates a stunning, almost ethereal effect, like looking into another world. Each crystal opal is a unique artwork, formed over millions of years with layers of vibrant colours and sometimes even embedded crystals for added depth and texture.
- White Opal: They are known for their milky white body and gentle colouring. Found throughout Australia and beyond, they were among the first opals discovered and remain popular for their versatility. Although translucent, unlike crystal opals, white opals block clear vision, with their milky background sometimes subtly muting the colour display.
- Doublet Opals & Triplet Opals: These are less expensive options that layer a thin slice of opal with a backing, but they are not recommended for everyday wear or engagement rings due to their sensitivity to water and lower durability.
Durability and Care
Opals have a hardness of 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, making them susceptible to scratches and wear and tear. While not as durable as diamonds, they can last a lifetime with proper care. Consider your lifestyle and activities when deciding if an opal engagement ring is right for you.
Settings and Everyday Wear
Given their softness, opals need extra protection in engagement rings. Bezel settings, which encase the gemstone with a metal wall, are the most secure option. Adding a halo around the opal can provide further protection.
Solid opals can withstand water; however, avoid harsh chemicals like those in soaps and detergents, which can damage the stone. Doublet and triplet opals are especially sensitive to water exposure, so avoid wearing them while swimming, washing dishes, or cleaning.
When not wearing your ring, store it safely away from other jewelry and gemstones in a separate box or soft pouch. Clean your opal ring using lukewarm, soapy water and a soft toothbrush. Avoid harsh jewelry cleaners.
Choosing an opal engagement ring is an exciting journey into a world of dazzling colours and patterns. If you've been captivated by their beauty, we can't wait to help you find the perfect opal to symbolise your unique love story. Reach out and tell us about your dream opal, and we'll be happy to source it for you!
