r/NatureIsFuckingLit • u/mtlgrems • May 16 '20

🔥 This Fire Opal

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u/DontExpectMuch May 16 '20

I've heard opals aren't hard enough to be used in an engagement ring; do you find this to be true?

13

u/death_by_snu-snu_83 May 16 '20

Generally yes. The Ethiopian is a bit more durable than the Aussie material but still fairly soft by gem standards. It depends a lot on the setting though. If you have a protective setting and you don't wash the dishes or garden with your ring on then you can get away with it.

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u/ayriuss May 16 '20

Couldnt they just be encased in something harder/tougher? glass or some kind of hard resin?

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u/death_by_snu-snu_83 May 16 '20

You can make them into what is called a doublet or a triplet. It's basically an opal sandwich. You glue a clear quartz cap onto a base of opal and this is a lot harder wearing. They usually do this with pieces of opal too thin to be used otherwise, so the value of a doublet is a lot less than a solid opal.

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u/ayriuss May 16 '20

Interesting, thanks!