When an opal gains or loses water, its color changes. This is not necessarily a bad thing, and sometimes this subtle change of color can make the opal look even more beautiful (and it certainly lends itself to the mystique of the stone). But you should be careful not to change the water composition of your opal too much. The strange flashes of color of your opal and its ethereal glow make it look like pure magic.
However, they are known for their rapid discoloration. They often develop an unsightly yellow or even lose all color, and it is not uncommon. I have seen an opal change in a period of only 6 months from a cold blue to a fiery red. This may seem like a great and interesting selling point, but it is not without risks.
It is quite possible that these color changes will eliminate that pleasant play of colors from your opal, and once that happens there is no going back. Sometimes Ethiopian opals can turn yellow or brown and lose fire. This would probably happen because the stone has been allowed to absorb water, which temporarily affects its color and fire. Once the stone has dehydrated, it must return to its normal state.
This topcoat not only protects the sensitive opal, but is also able to magnify its beautiful and unique set of colors. So take off the opal ring when doing any heavy physical activity, such as weightlifting, exercising, housework, or gardening. This is partly because Australian opals are better known and the country has a longer history of opal mining. That's why opals can absorb substances or even colors from any liquid that comes into contact with them.
Always keep in mind that OPAL is not diamond, its hardness is about 6 (diamond does and the beauty of solid opal can never be replaced, unlike diamond). They are more durable and often cheaper than real opals, but they will rarely be able to fool an experienced eye. However, as Ethiopian opals become more popular and gain more visibility, they can pose a serious challenge to Australia, which has been the dominant player in the opal market for more than a century. It changes color when wet and will return to its original color when it dries; however, if the liquid or water contains chemicals or other substances, your opal may not be able to regain its original beauty because of that cause.
Stable opals have a water content of about 3 to 10 percent, and any unstable material normally cracks shortly after being extracted. Avoid heavy manual work, moving furniture, sports, gardening or any other strenuous activity where your opal can impact hard surfaces and your opal enjoys a long and happy life. Sometimes called Welo opals, these opals have translucent to transparent body colors with a play of vivid colors in a variety of patterns. However, doublet and triplet opals (non-solid, partially artificial layered stones) can be damaged by prolonged exposure to water.
This perception may stem from the ancient Arab belief that opals were thrown in thunderstorms. Most Australian precious opals contain about 5 to 6% water, and submerging a solid opal in water will not cause any harm.
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