Caring for your opals begins with education.
When you purchase an opal, make sure to be informed of they type of opal you are buying; a doublet, triplet or solid opal. Doublet and triplet opals are both made up of separate parts. A doublet opal will have a layer of opal cemented to a backing in order to enhance the color of the opal. Triplets are similar to doublets but have an extra layer of glass or quartz on top to protect and add shape to the opal. Because these types of opals are made of layers, they should never be soaked, especially in hot water. Soaking doublet and triplet opals can weaken the cement bond and cause lifting between layers. When water comes between the layers, it can cause the opal to look foggy or grey.