How to Wear an Opal Stone

Opals are beautiful, unique gemstones that are often associated with passion, desire, and creativity. They can instantly elevate an outfit with their shine and color, and some even believe they can help heal your body, though there is no science to support those claims. Whether you have a pair of opal earrings or a gorgeous opal pendant, you’ll enjoy getting to wear these one-of-a-kind pieces over and over again.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Accessorizing with Opals

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Use the opal's unique colors to brighten up any look. Opals are known for their vibrant hues and come in all colors of the rainbow, which means an opal can be added to any outfit to either match or compliment whatever colors you want to wear! You can either wear an opal that matches the colors already in your outfit to go for a more streamlined, monochromatic look, or you can wear a contrasting-colored opal to draw attention to the beautiful gemstone.
- Black opals, which are the most popular type, have a dark body and are usually spotted with fiery reds, cool blues, and greens.
- White opals have a white or gray body and can look milky in color. They typically have blue, purple, and green undertones.
- Fire opals, as the name suggests, have a translucent red body and bits of orange and yellow throughout.
- Blue opals, also known as Peruvian opals, are a creamy blue and can show lighter purples, soft greens, and turquoise when light shines through the body.
2
Wear opal earrings to draw attention to your face. Choose a bigger pair of statement earrings if you want your earrings to be the main piece of jewelry you wear or go for simple studs for a more minimalist look. If you want to coordinate with your outfit, pick a color from your clothes and match the earrings, or add in some fun contrast by mixing-and-matching colors and patterns.
- For example, if you’re wearing an emerald green top, bright red opal earrings would provide a great pop of color. Or, you could streamline your look with green-based opals.
- If you have milky white opals, they can be paired with almost any outfit.
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3
Highlight your neckline with an opal pendant. Most opal necklaces are simple pendants that highlight the gemstone itself. Some may have more intricate settings, but the benefit of these types of necklaces is that they add a lot of style and color with just a single gemstone.^{[1]XResearch source}
- Longer pendants look fantastic with higher necklines as they tend to elongate your body.
- Try pairing a shorter pendant with a lower neckline to show off your jewelry.
Did You Know? Some people believe opals increase creativity and passion and wear them to channel this type of positive energy. While there’s no science backing these claims, it can be fun to associate different pieces of jewelry with various emotions and desires.^{[2]XResearch source}
4
Complement your skin tone with an opal bracelet. Light blue or white opal bracelets would pop against a darker skin tone, whereas a darker opal would stand out on a lighter skin tone. You could stack your bracelets for a layering effect, or wear a single bracelet as a simple accent piece.^{[3]XResearch source}
- In the end, it’s important that you love what you’re wearing, regardless of what styles may be in fashion.
5
Wear an opal ring on a special occasion to add extra flair to your outfit. Because opals are so sensitive and easy to scratch, it’s generally best to not wear them as everyday rings. For a special dinner or event, they can add a lot of color and unique style to your ensemble.^{[4]XResearch source}
- If you do want to wear an opal ring every day, take it to a jeweler every 6 months to have it professionally cleaned and treated.
6
Elevate a simple outfit with a colorful opal accent piece. Because opals are so unique, you can use them with a simple outfit to instantly make it more fashionable. Opals can pop against neutral shades, adding a personalized factor to an outfit that might otherwise be a little plain.
- For example, if you love blacks and grays for your clothes, a white-based opal or even a blue opal would look stunning.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Caring for Your Opal

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Scrub your opal with a soft brush and warm, soapy water to clean it. Fill a small bowl with warm water and 2-3 drops of dish detergent. Mix the water until it gets sudsy. Dip a soft brush in the water, then gently scrub your opal to clean off any dirt or grime. Rinse the opal with clean water and dry it with a soft cloth.^{[5]XResearch source}
- Don’t use a hard-bristled brush, as it could scratch the sensitive surface of the opal.
- Clean your opals once every 2-3 months to prevent oil from building up.
2
Polish your opal with a jeweler’s cloth once a week to remove skin oils. You can buy a jeweler’s cloth online or from your local jewelry store. Once a week, gently rub the entire opal and its setting with the cloth until it shines. This will help prevent oil from building up over time and will keep your opal looking beautiful.^{[6]XResearch source}
- If you don’t have a jeweler’s cloth, a microfiber cloth will work just the same.
3
Avoid getting your opal wet for long periods of time to prolong its life. Take off your opal when you shower, go to the pool, do dishes, or while doing anything else that might submerge it in water for more than a few minutes. This is especially important for doublet and triplet opals made of layered stones.^{[7]XResearch source}
- Opals are very porous, meaning they will absorb whatever moisture they come into contact with. Too much water will leave a residue on your opal and change its color.
4
Wrap your opal in soft, moist cotton when you put it away. While you don’t want your opal to get too wet, you also don’t want it to get overly dry while it’s in storage. When you’re ready to put your opal away for a longer period, wrap it in a dry piece of soft cotton. Put the cotton into a resealable plastic bag, add 2-3 drops of water, and then seal the bag.^{[8]XResearch source}
- The few drops of water in the sealed plastic bag will create a moist environment, which is ideal for your opal.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Channeling the Energy of an Opal

1
Keep your opal close to heart by wearing it as a pendant. If you’re interested in opals because of their astrological significant and power, you’ll want to put this beautiful gemstone on a necklace so it’ll stay close to your heart. The closer to your lifeblood, the more effective the opal will be.^{[9]XResearch source}
- While the power of gems, crystals, and stones isn’t scientifically supported, many people claim to receive positive benefits from using them.
2
Wear an opal to increase your creativity and passion. If you have a big creative project you’re working on or are trying to find the muse to make something new, wear an opal to encourage that part of your personality. Seeing the opal around your neck or on your hand will remind you of your intent and keep your creative juices flowing.^{[10]XResearch source}
- Remember that you already have the capability to create inside you. The opal just boosts that ability.
3
Radiate confidence in your true self with the energy of an opal. An opal is a delicate stone but it also is very vibrant and alive. Wear it when you feel like you need encouragement to be comfortable in your body and mind. It can motivate you to be more intentional with your words and more in-line with your inner self.^{[11]XResearch source}
- Because opal is an absorbent stone, some people believe that it absorbs and reflects whatever positive energies you are putting out.
4
Pair your opal with positive affirmations to center your life. If there is something you want to manifest, use your opal as a reminder to focus on that particular thing. Create a mantra for whatever it is you want to change or see, and repeat that mantra often throughout the day.^{[12]XResearch source}
- For example, if you want to be more flexible and at-ease in your life, say something like, “I radiate peace and calm; I am ready for whatever comes my way,” every time you feel or see your opal.
5
Ward off negativity and unwanted energy with the protection of an opal. People who believe in the power of gems and crystals say the opal is a protective stone, both physically and emotionally. Even if it simply makes you more aware of the negative energy in your life, you can use that to focus on becoming a more true version of yourself.^{[13]XResearch source}
- For stronger protection, pair an opal with a garnet, which is believed to be a lucky stone.
Did You Know? Hundreds of years ago, people used to believe that wrapping an opal in a fresh bay leaf and carrying it around with them would make them invisible. In this way, they thought it could literally protect you from those who might wish you harm.^{[14]XResearch source}
6
Boost your health by regularly wearing your opal. As with other gems and crystals, opals are thought to have healing properties. While they should never be used solely to treat a medical condition, you could try using them along with other treatments. Opals are said to help with:^{[15]XResearch source}
- Purifying your kidneys
- Regulating insulin
- Detoxing the liver
- Easing PMS symptoms
- Strengthening immunity
Warning: If you have a medical condition, like diabetes, make sure to wear your opal in conjunction with following your doctor’s instructions.
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Tips

Take your opal to a professional jeweler if it is scratched or cracked.^{[16]XResearch source}
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While opals are very pretty, they’re soft and susceptible to scratches. Try wearing them as a necklace or bracelet rather than as a ring to expose them to fewer dings and scrapes.^{[17]XResearch source}
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Warnings

Some people believe opals contain healing powers, but you should never use opals as a substitute for medical care. You could seriously endanger your life if you ignore what a doctor has told you to do for any particular medical condition.^{[18]XResearch source}
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Some people believe that it’s bad luck to wear an opal if it isn’t your actual birthstone. If you’re superstitious, this may be something you want to pay attention to.^{[19]XResearch source}
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