Why does my opal keep cracking? (it's not bad luck)
If you own an Ethiopian opal and it's suddenly developed tiny cracks or gone cloudy, it's not cursed — it's chemistry.
Most opals hold 3-21% water inside their structure. Ethiopian (hydrophane) opals absorb water like a sponge — showers, humidity, even sweat. When that water evaporates too fast (especially in dry US states like Arizona, Nevada, Colorado), the stone shrinks unevenly and cracks. This is called crazing.
Quick care basics:
Store in a soft pouch, not sealed airtight boxes
Keep away from direct sun and heaters
Take it off before showering, swimming, or applying perfume
A slightly humid environment is genuinely better than a bone-dry one
Full breakdown of causes + which opals are actually stable (Australian, boulder, crystal) in the link.
Why Opals Crack?
