Just Ask Leslie: Jewelry Tips

Dear Leslie,

Will in San Antonio

Dear Will,

Opals require a little extra care, but the shimmering beauty of an opal is well worth the little bit of extra time they take. The absolute most important thing to remember about caring for an opal is to remove it any time it might be scratched or damaged. Opals are among the softest gemstones, about the same hardness of glass, so it’s important to keep them from hazards. To clean them, simply wife them with a damp cloth, with perhaps a little mild detergent. Never, never, never have an opal piece cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner, and this can crack them. Opals are most commonly seen in rings, but why not keep these delicate beauties out of harms way by choosing ones set into earrings? These opal and iolite gold earrings feature iridescent three-carat opals and rich, royal purple iolites in a simple gold setting. This is a gorgeous, regal piece that, at $225, costs far less than a king’s ransom!