Care Instructions: Specimen & Chalk Grade Opals
- Specimen Grade Opals must be kept wet at all times, as they are hydrophane. Please store them in water, ensuring they are fully submerged.
- Dehydration can quickly damage the opal structure - even when viewing; ensure the Specimen or Chalk Opal has a layer of water around it. Dipping the Specimen or Chalk Opal in water intermittently while viewing is necessary.
- We store our Specimens in filtered tap water. Simply fill your jar or container to a level above your Specimen or Chalk Opal until fully submerged.
- Chalk Opals can be stored wet or dry. We recommend picking one consistent way to store them as the change from wet to dry can cause the opal to become more brittle and crack. Whichever your preference - please use discretion.
- Change out your water whenever it gets cloudy from matrix particles (host material that surrounds opals) that may detach.
- Some algae or limescale growth is normal when storing opal in water. When this happens, simply rinse and refill your jar with clean water.
The Different Opal Types
Specimen Opals
Opals were born of water and silica and some need to stay in their natural element. Specimens are for all the collectors out there that love to display their Opals but don't need to wear them. These opals need to stay hydrated in water, dehydration can result in damage to these opals. We provide a complimentary Opal Trove branded dome jar to orders with a $50 minimum for you to display your beloved Specimen Opal!
Jewelry Grade Opals
Jewelry Grade Opal is older and more stable than Specimen Opals, so they should be kept dry. This is the opal you want to set into any wearable jewelry! To clean, wipe with a dry microfiber cloth.
Stayish Opals
Stayish Opals were discovered in 2013 and are in-between jewelry and specimen grade opals. They are extremely rare and are the darkest black opals found in Ethiopia. Stayish opals need to be kept dry like jewelry grade but they're quite fragile, so cutting/polishing is generally not recommended.
Chalk Opals
Chalk is a variety of low moisture opal from Wello that displays some unique properties. These opals have bright bases of white or light blue with dense, vibrant flashes across the surface. They can be kept wet or dry, but when dried lose density and in turn become more fragile. Because of this, we recommend picking one consistent way of storing them to reduce potential damage.
Chocolate Opals
These were the first opals to be found in Ethiopia in the 1990s, before the discovery of Wello Opals. Chocolate opals form in nodules of matrix with deep red/brown bases. They can be kept either wet or dry, but similar to Stayish, they are fragile and susceptible to cracking, so we recommend picking one consistent way of storing them to reduce possible crazing in the future.
Display & Lighting
Studio Lighting Setup
We use single bulb warm LED light stands placed a maximum of 1-2 ft. away from the subject when we photograph and record our Ethiopian Opals.
Specimen Opal + Studio Lighting
Lighting plays a big part in displaying or photographing your Specimen Opals. Specimen Opals must be stored in water; another element that refracts light to help bring the flash patterns and colors to life.
*close up of the same specimen opal in image 1, indoors, under direct studio lighting
Specimen Opal + Indoor Lighting
Without a strong direct light source, Specimen Opals may look different with only indoor lighting. We recommend purchasing warm LED display lighting or placing it in a well-lit area to showcase your pieces.
*close up of the same specimen opal in image 1 & 2, indoors, with no direct studio lighting, placed near a window with cloudy/overcast natural lighting
Frequently asked questions
All of our opals are ethically sourced from Ethiopia.
Specimen grade opals need to be kept in water to avoid cracking and discoloration.
Stayish Opals are very rare, so our stock of them is quite limited. Because of this, we currently only sell them during live sales and Instagram posts.
A parcel is a collection of small opals (usually 3 to 5) rather than one individual opal. Think of it like a bundle package!
