Opal is one of the most beautiful gemstones you can own, but it does need a little more attention than harder stones like sapphire or topaz. The good news is that caring for opal jewelry isn't complicated once you understand why it's different. This guide covers everything you need to know about wearing, cleaning, and storing opal so your pieces stay vibrant for years.
Why Opal Needs Special Care
Opal is unlike most gemstones because it isn't a crystal. It's a hydrated form of silica, which means it contains natural water, typically 3 to 10 percent of the stone's total weight. That water is what makes opal's famous play-of-color possible. Microscopic silica spheres inside the stone are arranged in a grid pattern with water filling the gaps between them. When light enters the stone, it diffracts through those spheres and water gaps, producing the shifting rainbow flashes opal is known for.
This water content is also what makes opal more sensitive than harder gemstones. If the stone loses too much moisture (from heat, dry storage, or chemical exposure), it can develop fine surface cracks called crazing. If it absorbs too much moisture (from prolonged soaking), some opals can become cloudy or change appearance. Opal also scores 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, which is roughly the hardness of glass. That means it can be scratched by harder materials like quartz dust, sapphire, or topaz.
None of this means opal is fragile or impractical for jewelry. It just means you should treat it with the same respect you'd give a fine silk blouse rather than a pair of jeans. A few simple habits will keep your opal looking its best.
Can Opal Get Wet?
This is the most common question opal owners ask, and the answer depends on the type of opal and the type of water exposure.
Brief, incidental water contact (a splash while washing hands, getting caught in rain) is generally fine for solid natural opals. The stone won't dissolve or immediately crack from a quick encounter with water.
Prolonged water exposure (showering, swimming, soaking dishes, hot tubs) should be avoided. The concern isn't just the water itself but what's in it: chlorine in pools, salt in ocean water, chemicals in soaps, shampoos, and cleaning products. These substances can leave residue on the stone's surface, dull its play-of-color, or seep into microscopic surface features over time. Hot water and steam also create sudden temperature changes that can stress the stone.
The simple rule: Remove your opal jewelry before any activity involving water. Put it on last when getting ready and take it off first when you get home.
Can You Shower with Opal Jewelry?
No, we don't recommend it. Even though a single shower probably won't ruin your opal, the combination of hot water, steam, temperature changes, and chemical-laden products (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, soap) creates a harsh environment for this stone. Over time, repeated shower exposure can dull opal's play-of-color, leave a cloudy film on the surface, or contribute to crazing.
Keep a small dish or lined box near your bathroom for jewelry you remove before showering. Making it a habit protects not just your opal but all your fine jewelry.
Daily Wear Tips by Jewelry Type
Not all opal jewelry carries the same risk. Here's how to think about daily wear based on what you're wearing:
Earrings and necklaces are the safest way to wear opal every day. They sit against your body where they're protected from bumps, scratches, and direct impact. An opal pendant tucked against your chest or a pair of opal studs will see very little wear stress in normal daily life.
Bracelets take more impact than earrings or necklaces because your wrists bump against desks, doors, counters, and keyboards throughout the day. Bezel settings help protect the stone, and removing your bracelet for hand washing, cooking, and cleaning extends its life significantly.
Rings take the most abuse of any jewelry type because our hands are in constant contact with surfaces. If you want to wear an opal ring regularly, a bezel setting is strongly recommended because it wraps metal around the stone's edges, shielding it from side impacts. Remove opal rings before cooking, cleaning, exercising, gardening, or any heavy manual work. At Erin Gallagher Jewelry, our opal rings are designed with protective settings for this reason.
Why Bezel Settings Matter for Opal
A bezel setting holds a gemstone by wrapping a thin wall of metal around its entire perimeter. A prong setting, by contrast, holds the stone with small metal claws that leave the stone's edges and surface exposed.
For harder gemstones like sapphire (Mohs 9) or topaz (Mohs 8), prong settings work well because those stones can handle incidental bumps. For opal (Mohs 5.5 to 6.5), a bezel setting provides meaningful extra protection by keeping the stone's edges covered and reducing the risk of chipping from side impacts. If you plan to wear an opal ring or bracelet with any regularity, a bezel setting is the smartest choice.
Browse our opal collection to see our bezel-set designs, or create a custom piece through GemBar.
How to Clean Opal Jewelry
Cleaning opal is simple, but the key word is gentle.
What to use: A soft, lint-free cloth (like a microfiber cloth) slightly dampened with plain lukewarm water. If the opal needs more than a wipe-down, use a tiny drop of mild dish soap in lukewarm water, gently clean with a soft cloth or very soft brush, rinse briefly under lukewarm running water, and pat dry immediately with a soft cloth.
What to avoid: Ultrasonic cleaners (vibrations can crack opal), steam cleaners (sudden heat and moisture), harsh chemicals (bleach, ammonia, acetone, jewelry dip solutions), hot water (thermal shock risk), and abrasive materials (toothbrushes with stiff bristles, baking soda, toothpaste).
If your opal has lost some of its shine after years of wear, a professional jeweler can polish it to restore its luster. Small surface scratches can often be buffed out without damaging the stone.
How to Store Opal Jewelry
Proper storage is one of the easiest ways to protect your opal long-term.
Store separately. Keep opal pieces in their own soft pouch or lined compartment, away from harder gemstones that could scratch the surface. This is especially important for rings and bracelets.
Avoid extreme dryness. Because opal contains natural water, very dry environments (like a safe deposit box, a heated room in winter, or a dry climate) can slowly dehydrate the stone over time. If you're storing opal for extended periods, placing a small damp cotton pad in a sealed bag nearby (not touching the stone) can help maintain ambient humidity.
Avoid direct sunlight. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or high heat can contribute to dehydration and potential crazing. Store your opal in a cool, shaded place.
Avoid airtight plastic. Opal benefits from a small amount of air circulation. A fabric-lined box or soft pouch is ideal.
What to Avoid with Opal Jewelry
Here's a quick reference list of situations where you should remove your opal:
Showering or bathing. Swimming (pool, ocean, hot tub). Exercising or playing sports. Cooking or doing dishes. Cleaning with household chemicals. Gardening or yard work. Applying perfume, hairspray, or lotion (put opal on after these dry). Sleeping (especially for rings and bracelets). Extreme temperature changes (going from hot sun to air conditioning, or cold outdoors to a hot shower).
Opal Doublets and Triplets: A Special Note
Some opal jewelry uses doublets (a thin slice of opal glued to a dark backing) or triplets (a thin opal slice with both a backing and a clear protective top layer). These are more affordable ways to enjoy opal's play-of-color, but they require extra care because the adhesive layers can be damaged by prolonged water exposure. If you own doublet or triplet opal jewelry, avoid any water contact beyond a quick wipe with a damp cloth. Solid opals are more forgiving, though the care guidelines above still apply.
The Bottom Line
Opal rewards gentle care with a lifetime of beauty that no other gemstone can match. No two opals share the same play-of-color, which means your piece is genuinely one of a kind. By following these simple guidelines, removing before water and heavy activity, cleaning gently, storing thoughtfully, and choosing bezel settings for rings, you'll keep your opal looking vibrant for years and even generations.
Explore our full opal jewelry collection, all handcrafted in Colorado using 14K gold, gold-fill, or recycled sterling silver. Every piece ships gift-ready in our eco-friendly packaging with gift bag, tissue, cleaning cloth, and card. Orders over $150 ship free.
Learn more about opal meaning, properties, and birthstone history →
Frequently Asked Questions
Can opal jewelry get wet?
Brief incidental contact with water is generally fine for solid opals, but prolonged exposure should be avoided. Remove opal before showering, swimming, or washing dishes. Chemicals in soaps, chlorine, and salt water can dull the stone's play-of-color over time.
Can you shower with opal jewelry?
We don't recommend it. The combination of hot water, steam, and chemical products creates a harsh environment for opal. Over time, repeated shower exposure can dull the stone and contribute to surface crazing. Remove opal before showering and store it in a safe spot nearby.
How do you clean opal jewelry?
Wipe with a soft, slightly damp cloth. For deeper cleaning, use a tiny drop of mild dish soap in lukewarm water, clean gently, rinse briefly, and pat dry immediately. Never use ultrasonic cleaners, steam cleaners, or chemical solutions on opal.
Can you wear opal every day?
Yes, with care. Earrings and necklaces are the safest options for daily opal wear. For rings, choose a bezel setting and remove before heavy activity. Opal scores 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, so it's softer than many gemstones and benefits from mindful handling.
Why does opal crack?
Opal contains 3 to 10 percent natural water. If the stone loses moisture too quickly from heat, dry storage, or chemical exposure, it can develop fine surface cracks called crazing. Avoid extreme temperature changes, prolonged direct sunlight, and very dry storage conditions.
Is opal too delicate for an engagement ring?
Opal can work in an engagement ring if you choose a protective bezel setting and are willing to remove it for hand washing, cooking, cleaning, and exercise. Many opal lovers wear their opal ring for occasions and lighter days while keeping a simpler band for heavy-duty days.
For stone-specific buying guides and care instructions, visit our Birthstone Guides resource.