Can I Get an Opal Wet? What UK Opal Buyers Need to Know
Living in the UK means dealing with rain almost all year round, and as an opal cutter, I often get asked the same question:
“Can I get my opal wet?”
The short answer is simple: yes, if it’s Australian opal. If your stone is Ethiopian opal, it’s much safer to keep it dry.
🇦🇺 Why Australian Opals Are Safe to Get Wet
Let me explain. Australian opal forms in a sedimentary environment, which makes it non‑porous. In other words, it cannot absorb water.
Because of this stable structure, you can get an Australian opal wet without worrying about:
- colour fading
- cloudiness
- long‑term damage
This is one of the reasons I specialise in Australian opals for UK customers - they run no risk in our damp climate.
🇪🇹 Why Ethiopian Opals Should Stay Dry
Ethiopian opal is very different. It forms in volcanic rock, which is porous. This means the stone absorbs water, and that causes two major issues:
- Colour loss: when water enters the opal’s structure, the play‑of‑colour fades or disappears. The stone must fully dry out before the colour returns.
- Long‑term cracking: repeated water absorption makes the stone unstable, and over time it can crack on its own.
For this reason, if you own Ethiopian opal jewellery, it’s best to keep it completely dry - especially in the UK’s wet weather.
Summary: Opals and UK Weather
To summarise: in the UK’s famously rainy climate, you can wear your Australian opal jewellery with confidence. Solid Australian opals won’t be affected by rain, splashes, or everyday moisture.
If you’d like your own custom piece made with a stable, high‑quality Australian opal, feel free to get in touch - I mine, I cut, and set every stone myself.