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 Post subject: My opal cracked?
PostPosted: Thu Jan 25, 2018 1:39 am 
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Joined: Tue Aug 18, 2015 7:14 pm
Posts: 60
Weight: 5.01 Ct
Gem: Fire Opal
Mine: Oregon, USA
Dimensions (mm) 15.3 x 13.6 x 8.4
Color: Orange – Yellow
Grade: F
Cut: C.D Radiant Thunderbird
Comments: Flawless with slight silk.

I bought my opal and had it looked at and confirmed that in fact at the genuine thing by a G.I.A licensed gemolgogest.

I had not looked at my stone for a few months, now the stone has cracked, a layer of material that was super thin came off the opal, there's also a crack in it now. It was stored in a gem jar in a cabinet. I have no idea what happened to the stone.


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 Post subject: Re: My opal cracked?
PostPosted: Thu Jan 25, 2018 12:23 pm 
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Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm
Posts: 21602
Location: San Francisco
Morning and welcome!
That's hard to diagnose without at least seeing a picture of the patient, :wink:
Many opals craze and crack.
Oregon opals are not known for their stability.

Opals from Opal Butte, Oregon


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 Post subject: Re: My opal cracked?
PostPosted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 3:16 am 
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Joined: Tue Aug 18, 2015 7:14 pm
Posts: 60
I am thinking that it just dried out and then fractured, so much for being cured for three years. Had I known that stabilization was not a sure thing, I would have considered getting another gemstone. Thanks for the information.


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 Post subject: Re: My opal cracked?
PostPosted: Sun Jan 28, 2018 11:42 am 
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Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm
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Location: San Francisco
Any opal which needs "stabilization" is not fit for jewelry use.


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