The question might occur to you if Opalite can be submerged in water and what effect submersion in water might have on the quality of Opalite. It will be discussed in this article as to whether or not Opalite can be submerged in water safely and to what extent.
What Is Opalite?
Opalite is a rare stone because of its radiance, created when light bounces off tiny crystals within the stone. Opalite comes in various hues and patterns, but they are all characterized by the same Opalescent luster. Opalite can range in color from blue to pinkish-red and often features swirling. There is a common confusion that Opalite is the same as Opal or moonstone. Because of their relative simplicity in discovery and cutting, Opalite is often more affordable than other precious stones.
Opalite is a glass imitation stone intended to look like natural Opal. Despite its true identity as a purple stone, Opalite is often mislabeled as Opal. Translucent or milky white in normal lighting, it might appear blue or sky-blue on a dark background. Unlike other stones formed naturally on the ground, Opalite was created in a lab, giving it a distinct spiritual significance from naturally occurring stones.
What To Consider When Purchasing Opalite
Color
Opalite is famous for its clear, iridescent glow. The stone can be dark purple, lavender, and creamy white with swirls of brown, dark yellow, and pink when cut en cabochon. When viewed against a light background, it has a milky white appearance with golden highlights.
Clarity
Man-made Opalite may have tiny bubbles within the glass. But apart from occasional tiny bubbles, most of the Opalites in the market are completely clear. It has a high level of clarity, and the ethereal glow is the stone’s trademark appearance. Its luminosity changes when viewed against different backdrops.
Carat
In several physical and online stores, you can find Opalite stones that are 50 – 200 carat.
Cut
Opalite is very easy to cut and quite a soft, malleable stone with a hardness rating of 5.5 – 6 Mohs. It can be made into a wide variety of styles of jewelry. It is popularly crafted into free-form cabochons. It can also be made into lovely, glowing beads and tumbled stones.
You can also purchase it in its rough, uncut form. Due to these properties, it is easy to convert these gorgeous stones into stunning jewelry pieces. You can get a custom cut and create detailed carvings on its lustrous surface.
Can Opalite Go In Water?
You might want to ask, can Opalite go in water? Like many other minerals, crystals, stones, and gems, Opalite can be submerged in water. But in the long run, there could be some repercussions.
If you regularly give your Opalite a quick washing in water and dry it off with a soft towel, you may not see any signs of tear for a very long time.
Putting your Opalite in a water bath for a few hours a day will hasten the decline in its aesthetic quality. Invisible to the naked eye, Opalite is riddled with fissures. And if you leave your Opalite in water for too long, the fissures may spread, and the stone may shatter.
How To Clean Opalite?
Opalite may be cleaned with salt and water. Water’s ability to properly wash away dust and dirt on the surface of your Opalite. However, you shouldn’t do this too often, as the continual exposure could damage your stone.
Just hold the stone under running water to do a water purification (cool). Use distilled or filtered water for optimal results; avoid using extremely hot or cold water, which might damage the stone.
How To Care For Opalite Jewelry?
- Opalites are softer than most gemstones, with a hardness of 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale. Put them away when working in hazardous environments or when handling chemicals. This will protect these vibrant works of art from the potential damage of scratches and cracks.
- Opalites are extremely fragile because of the 20-30% water trapped within them. Lines of fracture, known as “crazing,” appear on them when subjected to extreme heat or sunlight. They are highly reactive to rapid temperature shifts. Likewise, to prevent your Opalites from drying out, wrap them in a damp cloth or a piece of wet cotton before putting them away.
- Wearing your Opalites more frequently can help them retain their luster for longer. Opalites can be kept in pristine condition by exposing them to moisture from the air and your body.
- Opalite stud earrings and pendants are great everyday options, but Opalite rings are best saved for special occasions. A bezel setting is best if you wear your Opalite ring daily.
- Opalite jewelry should be cleaned every four to five months; this can be done at home. To clean your jewelry, simply use a soft brush or a clean, damp cloth and a solution of mild soap and warm water to remove any grime that has built up over time. Don’t use the brush directly on the gem’s surface, though.
- Opalites should not be cleaned with bleach or other harsh chemicals. They are destroyed by hydrofluoric acid and highly alkaline solutions. Maintaining the shine of your Opalite jewelry may require periodic visits to a professional jeweler for re-polishing.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, opalite is a rare artificial gemstone that possesses a unique quality of beauty and healing attributes. Although this is not naturally formed like other gemstones, it doesn’t decrease the sentimental value of this gem. Because of its artificial nature, it is quite expensive. Despite being expensive, Opalite is a good investment as a stone to keep or as a jewelry stone. It creates stunning jewelry that still stands out among other natural stones.
With the beauty of Opalite comes the responsibility to take care of and maintain it. When you know the best practices you can consider to maintain your Opalite, you will have a good investment even after years.