Vintage 1.99ct Opal and Diamond 14kt Ring

How to Clean Opal Jewelry

When it comes to opal jewelry, there are different steps to take based on the type and style. Solid opals can be submerged in water, but submerging doublet or triplet pieces could leave them cloudy.

Cleaning Solid Opal Jewelry

• Mix a few drops of mild dish soap with warm water to create a gentle cleaning solution
• Swish the jewelry item in the solution, then remove and wipe with a microfiber cloth or other gentle cleaning tool that has been soaked in the solution
• Dry the item thoroughly with a new, dry microfiber cloth

Cleaning A Doublet / Triplet Opal

• Mix a few drops of mild dish soap with warm water to create a gentle cleaning solution
• Use the solution to moisten a microfiber jewellery cloth and carefully wipe the piece
• Use the solution to moisten a regular microfiber cloth and wipe the item again
• Dry the piece thoroughly with a new, dry microfiber cloth

Both types of opal jewellery should be cleaned every other month.

How to Keep Opal Jewelry from Getting Damaged

If your opal jewelry is stored long-term in a place with low humidity, like a safety deposit box. Storing the piece in cotton wool that's been moistened with water prevents the gemstone itself from losing any water and having its appearance distorted. Placing the item and the wool itogether provides an extra level of protection from the environment.

• Store the jewelry pieces you wear frequently in a padded cloth bag to prevent scratching. If scratching does occur, the damage can be repaired with a professional stone polishing.

Vintage Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring

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Vintage Sapphire Solitaire Ring

What Affects the Cost?

Many classes of gemstones are considered precious, and there are standards in place that help professional geologists determine their exact value. Beauty alone is not enough to merit a high price, and careful consideration of clarity and color will play a major role in determining a stone's value. A gemstone's mineral family, chemical composition, durability, and rarity all play a part, as well as the care and expertise employed by a cutter to facet the gem. Ultimately, cost will come down to a professional appraisal, but we can offer several comparisons between diamonds and sapphires that will help you come to your own conclusions.

Comparing Sapphires and Diamonds

History and Symbolism

Sapphires were first adored by kings and queens of Ancient Greece and Rome and have been worn as talismans of good health. A symbol of innocence, abundance, and prosperity, a sapphire is said to bring its wearer peace and tranquility. On the flip side, the earliest deposits of diamonds were discovered in India in the 4th century BC and were associated with healing powers. Diamonds throughout history have long symbolized eternal love, driving up their popularity and, perhaps, their price.

Colour and Fire

Both diamonds and sapphires form naturally in a variety of colours, including pinks, yellows, oranges, browns, and blues. Fancy coloured diamonds, however, are more expensive because they are rarer, so a rare blue diamond will always cost more than a blue sapphire. White sapphires are a popular affordable stand-in for diamonds, though they lack the multi-coloured fire of a diamond.

Carat and Mass

When compared carat for carat, sapphires are almost always cheaper than diamonds. That's because a sapphire is denser than a diamond, meaning its equal mass will make it appear smaller. Sapphires can become extremely pricey, however, at 4 carats and above.