It has come to my attention, that when I have created a few commission pieces that I have forgotten to tell the customers about the proper care of the stones used in the pieces of wearable 

What happens when opals come into contact with bleach?

Late last year  a lovely customer commission a minimalist silver black opal ring for her finger as a little treat, based on the outer ring of an ADHD fidget ring.

When I delivered it she was so happy and excited to wear it, I forgot to tell her that with it being a Black ethiopian opal, that it would not be a water safe ring.
 

A few month later she returned and said the stone had lost its shine, and at the time, I still hadn't put 2 and 2 together as to what was happening to the stone within the ring.
 
It was only when she returned the ring earlier this year, wearing her uniform that I realised what had happened.

Just to confirm I asked her, what happened?

She said that she had been wearing her ring all the time whilst at work.

I then I asked did she wear the ring whilst cleaning with water?

To which she replied yes.

I then asked did she wear the ring whilst working with bleach and other harsh chemicals, and again the answer was yes!
 
And it was at this point I realised that I had screwed up, as I had not told her that Ethiopian Opals are not water friendly, because they are porous.

She absolutely loved the stone, as I said I would replace the stone with another opal, and as I had not told her about the after care of the stone, that there would be no charge.

She was so grateful, that she ordered another ring!!!
In light of this I have created a new blog series for Jewellery Care, which includes how to charge and clean crystals, along with which crystals are water and sun safe stones.

Joolz xxx

 

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July 24, 2025

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