There are a number of important things to consider when purchasing Opal bracelets.

Opal Types

When shopping for Opal bracelets online you should first consider the type of Opal you would like your Opal bracelet to be hand crafted in.

Australian Opal is ideal for use in Opal bracelets and with the many colours of Australian Opal available it is easy to find a style to suit any tastes. White Opal bracelets handmade using genuine Australian Opal will always be a most popular choice and will remain a classic style which is timeless. Black Opal bracelets are a more sophisticated style and high grade Australian black Opal will always be desirable. Australian Boulder Opal bracelets are a more contemporary choice and with the vast range of colours and patterns available in this gem they allow the wearer to find a piece to perfectly express their own personal style.

Mexican Fire Opal is also a very popular choice for Opal bracelets and Mexican Fire Opal bracelets can be a very striking statement piece, especially when handmade using bright orange Fire Opal.

Peruvian Opal makes an unusual style of Opal bracelet and is available in a natural pink or bright aqua blue colour. High grade Peruvian Opal is very rare and makes an excellent choice for use in Opal bracelets.

Opal Bracelet Designs

There are a number of Opal bracelet styles available from traditional to contemporary.

Opals are most often cut into cabochons for setting into precious metal in a rubover or bezel setting. This setting style protects the Opal from damage as it encases the Opal. Opal bracelets with bezel set Opals offer a very traditional style of Opal bracelet which can be handmade in any precious metal. For the best result, the set of Opals used for this design must be cut from the same parcel of Opal to provide a 'suite' rather than a mix and match style set often used by jewellers. When purchasing an Opal bracelet with bezel set Opals you should always check that you are in fact purchasing solid genuine Opals as this setting technique is often used to disguise lower grade Opal 'triplets' and 'doublets' (a thin slice of Opal sandwiched between other lesser quality materials to give the appearance of a more valuable Opal). Your Opal jeweller will always be able to tell you whether the Opal you are buying is genuine. An experienced Opal jeweller will be able to identify the exact mine that the Opal was sourced from.

Opals are also very occassionally cut into beads and these Opal beads are ideal for use in Opal beaded bracelets. Any Opal type is suitable for use in an Opal beaded bracelet however the higher the Opal grade, the more difficult it will be to find in an Opal beaded bracelet as cutting the Opal into beads wastes a lot of the Opal (through drilling the bead) and so precious gem grade Opal is very rarely cut into beads.

Caring for Opal Bracelets

Opal is a relatively soft natural gemstone and so you'll need to take good care of your Opal bracelet. You should periodically soak your Opals in water to help them reabsorb lost moisture and you should never use any chemicals or ultrasonic cleaners on your Opal bracelets.

Storing Opal Bracelets

You should ideally store your Opal bracelets in a sealed plastic container or grip seal bag along with a moist cotton wool ball. This will maintain the moisture levels in the Opal and prevent the Opal from drying out and potentially cracking in time.

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