Affordable Yet Sophisticated Opal Necklaces

Opals are very attractive and for that they are known as “The Queen of Gems.”  Truly they deserve to be called such for their matchless beauty.  Opals radiate the different colors of the rainbow in a mesmerizing fashion, and because of this, they make excellent pieces for ornaments.  Surely, your necklace display stand should contain at least one necklace with opals! That’s because opals can be used in making dazzling necklaces as well.  They are popular and unique gemstones of a superior class and quality.  In fact, the opal necklaces can be an excellent option for the usual metal-only or diamond necklaces that grace many a famous woman’s neck.

Opals are rare and unique while diamonds, although more expensive, are common and can be seen being worn by a lot of women.  Diamonds may have high prices but when it comes to availability in the market, opals are actually rarer than the diamonds. Plus, their rare white opaque surface with rainbow reflective colors makes them definitely unique.

If you wish to purchase an opal necklace, you should know that the opal is a gemstone that is quiet soft compared to the diamond.  Basically, opals are half as hard as diamonds.  A diamond has a rating of 10 for its hardness, but an opal has a rating of 5 for its hardness.  Before you actually focus your decision on buying an opal necklace, it is essential that you understand how the hardiness of the precious gemstone can affect your necklace.  This is a very important point to consider because an opal necklace is not as hard as diamonds. The wearer needs to take special care of the necklace so that it won’t be easily damaged.  Mishandling is one of the major reasons of breaking the opal on the necklace. When not in use, the owner is advised to store the necklace in a necklace display so that it won’t get damaged easily.

Opals come in different varieties as well.   The boulder opals are stronger and more robust than the usual opals.  A boulder opal for a necklace or as a pendant will last longer if taken cared of properly, since this type of opal is harder.  It is also essential that that you choose a necklace setting that can protect the opal as time passes.  The rub-over or bezel setting on a pendent with an opal will be best.  This is the most secure setting compared to a claw.  The claw type of setting can easily damage the opal on the pendant.

The advantage about an opal necklace is that it is way more affordable than a necklace with loads of diamonds but can be sophisticated as well with the right design. Just don’t forget to take proper care of it if you have one!