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 Post subject: Discolored Opals
PostPosted: Thu Feb 23, 2017 5:14 am 
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Hello,
I was wondering if anyone might be able to tell me what has caused some of my opals to change color? I will attach a picture for you to see, the stones on the left hand side are the ones that appear to have changed color from milky white to a darker red/brown color (they still have flash). All of the discolored opals were stored in the same place (a new gem organizer that I purchased) whereas the two opals on the right that didn’t change color were stored elsewhere. I purchased the opals that have changed color from different sellers so I don’t expect that the problem has come from the seller. I can only think that it must be because of the method of storage, I know that opals are very porous and the gem organizer did have a strong chemical smell when I first got it. Do you think it could be possible that the gem organizer has caused the change of color? Also is it possible to return the opals back to their original milky white color? I have other more valuable stones in the organizer and am a bit worried that they will be effected also.
Thank you very much for your help.


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opal.jpg
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 Post subject: Re: Discolored Opals
PostPosted: Tue Feb 28, 2017 12:55 am 
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Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm
Posts: 21602
Location: San Francisco
This is indeed curious.
Let us know what happens when you leave them alone for a couple of weeks.


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 Post subject: Re: Discolored Opals
PostPosted: Tue Feb 28, 2017 3:08 am 
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Location: North Carolina
I have had a few yellow, but this is quite odd. I wonder if they ahd somensort of resin filler that is discoloring ir something.n a soak in acetone may do something.

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 Post subject: Re: Discolored Opals
PostPosted: Wed Mar 01, 2017 6:16 pm 
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Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2013 5:29 pm
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Location: Paris
Whatever happened, I think the darker opals look rather better than the whitish ones, the colors play better on a dark background.
Maybe you have found a device that could be patented and make you rich :)


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 Post subject: Re: Discolored Opals
PostPosted: Sun Mar 12, 2017 1:29 pm 
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Location: Jakarta, Indonesia
I believe they are Ethiopian (Wello) opals.

I have two Ethiopian opal which I like to play/experience around.
The last experience, soaked in water for 24 hours, and after 1 month still not get the play of colors back. :)

And one of of them turn into red which I suppect must be related with some dyed or chemical treatment. (picture attached)


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File comment: Two wello black opal after soaked in water for 24 hours.
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