LAB OPAL RINGS & JEWELRY

Your lab opal ring and lab opal jewelry requires some special care to keep it looking great.  Lab created opal is fairly durable (more durable than natural opal) but is still susceptible to chips or cracks from hard blows directly to the opal.  The most important thing you can do to prolong the life of your lab opal ring is to use common sense on when to remove your jewelry.  Taking off your lab opal jewelry (especially your lab opal ring) before any activity that may damage it, is the most effective way to prevent cracking or chipping the opal inlay.  There are times when wearing any jewelry, not just lab opal jewelry, is risking damage to the jewelry and a possible heath hazard to the wearer as well.  Any object your lab opal ring comes into contact with that is harder than the metal or the lab opal in the ring will scratch or ding the metal and chip or crack the opal.  You should not wear your lab opal ring on a finger adjacent to another ring.  The two rings will grind against each other and damage the opal inlay and the metal. Stacking them on the same finger is fine (bridal set) but be aware that they will rub against each other and over time a matte finish will appear on the sides that touch.  Lab opal inlay jewelry is not fragile but does require that you take some care when wearing it.  When in doubt take it off.  When not wearing your lab opal ring, store it in a cloth bag or box where your other jewelry cannot ding or scratch it.  Doing so will prolong the life of your lab opal ring and extend the period you can go before it needs to be refinished to remove the scratches and dents.  Ladies don't throw your lab opal ring in the bottom of your purse and men don't put your ring in your pocket with your keys or coins! Every few months take a moment to carefully examine your rings and jewelry for damage, loose stones or worn prongs.  Get any damage repaired immediately!  Don't let a small repair turn into a major one by wearing a damaged ring.

 

Never put your lab opal rings and lab opal jewelry in an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner.  Chemicals and heat from the ultrasonic cleaner may negatively affect the epoxy over a period of time.  Also, avoid contact with household cleaners and solvents as these may break down the epoxy and could also oxidize the silver turning it black.  Do not soak your lab opal jewelry in water or oils overnight.  Prolonged exposure to water or oils may weaken the bond between the opals and the epoxy used to hold them in the inlay channel.  You should remove your silver jewelry before swimming in a chlorine pool or hot tub.  High levels of chlorine can cause tarnishing or slowly remove the finish on the stones and the metal.  If tarnishing occurs you should remove it with a polishing cloth but do not dip the jewelry in a tarnish removal liquid.  If your lab opal jewelry has gemstones accenting the opal inlay, you can clean the gemstones by brushing them with an old toothbrush and some soft soap.  Simply brush the gemstones from the top and the bottom until all the build up is removed.  Clean your lab opal jewelry (and all jewelry) regularly to remove sweat, lotions and body oils that can dull the sparkle and shine of your jewelry.

 

Finally, when the surface of the lab opal inlay or the metal loses its luster, return the jewelry to us for refinishing.  If your lab opal ring has some damaged opal it is important to have it repaired immediately.  Water, oils, lotion or chemicals can seep in through chips and cracks in the stones and ruin the epoxy resulting in expensive repairs if all the opal inlay comes loose.  If your budget doesn't allow for immediate repair, put the jewelry away and don't risk doing further damage by wearing it.  We suggest returning your lab opal ring or lab opal jewelry to us for all repairs.  Most jewelers are not experienced with inlay methods and do not have the lab opal to match the opals in your jewelry.   Contact us for shipping instructions for repairs.