Here are some questions and answers you may find useful.
FAQs
Commissions
What is the process for getting a piece commissioned?
We can make opal jewellery to your designs or ideas – please email or call to discuss.
How much does it cost to commission something?
This will depend mainly on what the piece is, the type and quality of opal required, as well as the metal used.
From start to finish, how long does the process take for a piece of jewellery to be designed and made?
Usually 4-6 weeks
What types of metal are used for the jewellery?
Whatever you want – Gold, Platinum, Silver are the main ones, Silver can be Rhodium plated to minimise tarnishing, as well as oxidised to alter the colour
Help! I don’t know a lot about opals, can you advise me?
Please see opal facts section, there is lots of information in there
Can I see the opals before they are set in my jewellery?
Yes, I can send pictures and a video, or alternatively if you have an opal that you would like to be used I can use that in your jewellery.
I don’t live in South Wales and it’s difficult for me to travel, can I still commission a piece from you?
That’s no problem – we can discuss your requirements over the telephone and via email.
I’ve heard opals are fragile, are they?
The hardness of opals is less than many other gemstones, it’s approximately the same as glass, however certain types of opal may be more fragile than others. If it’s a good quality stone in the first place and you take care of it there shouldn’t be any problem – I’ve seen opals set in jewellery that still look good after 40 years use. It is always a good idea to remove your opal jewellery if there is a chance it may be exposed to being scratched or broken (i.e. manual tasks such as working in the garden, decorating, on the beach etc.)
How do you measure opal weight and quality?
The hardness of opals is less than many other gemstones, it’s approximately the same as glass, however certain types of opal may be more fragile than others. If it’s a good quality stone in the first place and you take care of it there shouldn’t be any problem – I’ve seen opals set in jewellery that still look good after 40 years use. It is always a good idea to remove your opal jewellery if there is a chance it may be exposed to being scratched or broken (i.e. manual tasks such as working in the garden, decorating, on the beach etc.)
How do you measure opal weight and quality?
Opals are measured the same as other gemstone per carat. The quality depends on several factors – the type of opal, where it is from, the colours showing, how the colours show, pattern, brightness of the colours are the main ones.
Where do you source the opals you use?
Mostly from Australia, I also use Brazilian opals and Honduran matrix opal. I’ll be honest and say I shy away from using Ethiopian opals due to their properties, please see opal information for more details as to why.
Website
How can I purchase a piece from your website? If you click on an image in the gallery it will show if the piece is available or not and the price. Item can be purchased direct from here, any questions about the piece please email or call me.
I saw a piece on your website but it’s been sold, can you make another?
I can make a piece to that design using a similar opal, however each opal is usually completely unique so cannot be exactly matched.
I can make a piece to that design using a similar opal, however each opal is usually completely unique so cannot be exactly matched.
General
Do you ever rent out your jewellery?
I can rent out the jewellery – very useful if you have a special occasion such as a wedding to go to. If you really like the piece and want to keep it, we can arrange purchase less a proportion of the rental cost.
I can rent out the jewellery – very useful if you have a special occasion such as a wedding to go to. If you really like the piece and want to keep it, we can arrange purchase less a proportion of the rental cost.
Jewellery care
How do I care for my opal?
Taking care of opal is easy. All it takes is a little bit of common sense and knowledge about opal. Before deciding how to best care for your opal you need to be aware of the type of opal you have;
Solid Opals - Opal is a soft stone, approximately the same hardness as glass (around 6.5 on Moh's hardness scale), so it is important to treat your opal carefully in order to avoid damaging it. Remove your opal jewellery if there is a chance it will be scratched or broken (i.e. working in the garden, moving furniture, etc.)
Many people believe solid opals can be damaged by water - however, this only applies to doublets and triplets. Solid opals are fine in water. In fact, most precious opals contain about 5-6% water. As a result, opal may crack if subjected to very dry conditions or rapid changes in temperature which will cause the water in the stone to expand or contract at a different rate from the stone itself. Therefore it is best to avoid circumstances that may allow this to happen. Ethiopian opals however are “hydrophanes”, meaning they will absorb water, this causes the stone to go cloudy and the colours to disappear, the main reason I don’t use them.
Doublets & Triplets - Caring for doublets or triplets is a little different to caring for solid opals. Because doublets and triplets consist of multiple layers glued together, prolonged exposure to water will eventually cause lifting between the layers and the infiltration of water. A doublet or triplet will take on a 'foggy' or grey appearance if this happens. This does not mean your opal will be ruined if you wear it in the shower once, or are caught in the rain. It takes prolonged exposure to cause water damage to a doublet or triplet. Any doublets I make are made using a marine-grade resin, which has high resistance to water so should minimise this happening anyway.
How would you recommend that I store my jewellery?
If you need to store your opal away for a period of time it should be alright to place it in a padded cloth bag to give some protection and store it away as you would other jewellery. For longer storage periods, such as being kept in safe storage place your opal in cotton wool, add just a couple of drops of water and then put it in a sealable plastic bag (i.e. a Ziploc type bag). The water is not intended to soak into the stone, the opal is impervious, but this process will prevent water coming out of the stone if it does become exposed to very low humidity environments. (Many long term storage safes will have humidity controlled atmosphere). With doublets as explained above just a couple of drops will be OK.
How do I keep the opal jewellery clean?
Solid opal should be cleaned gently with mild detergent in warm water and a soft toothbrush or cloth. Avoid bleach, chemicals and cleaners. Doublets I make can be cleaned the same way, however triplets may be wiped with a damp soft cloth and mild detergent, but should never be soaked or immersed.
Never allow anyone to clean your opal in an ultrasonic cleaner, as the intense vibrations may cause cracking in a solid opal, and water penetration in a doublet or triplet.
If your stone loses its shine or becomes scratched, bring it back to an opal cutter. After years of wear, small scratches and scuff marks cause an opal to lose its shiny polish and become dull looking. Professional polishing can bring new life to an opal which has become dull or scratched, and we can also check for claw damage and ensure the security of the setting.
Hopefully these tips have been helpful, please contact us if you have any other questions, hopefully we can answer them.