Does silver cleaner harm opals?
On One Hand: Silver Cleaner Can Damage OpalsThe opal is a soft and porous stone that is vulnerable to moisture damage, scratching and chemical degradation. For this reason, silver cleaner is not recommended for use on an opal. Opals should be cleaned and polished with a clean, soft, dry cloth. For heavier cleaning, gemsociety.org recommends a mild detergent such as dish soap and room temperature water, but warns that opals should not be soaked.On the Other: Chemical Free Cleaners Might WorkSome brands of jewelry cleaner, including silver cleaners, advertise non-toxic and chemical-free products that they claim will not harm opals. If searching for this type of product, be sure that it does not contain any alcohol or harsh chemicals.Bottom LineThe vast majority of websites dedicated to the care of opals recommend cleaning by dry cloth or mild detergent.
