https://catchlightjewelry.com/journal/ Plain-English notes on opal from the CATCHLIGHT studio: how to choose a stone, what the different types mean, and whether opal survives everyday wear. en © 2026 CATCHLIGHT hello@catchlightjewelry.com (Emily) hello@catchlightjewelry.com (Emily) Sat, 12 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0800 https://catchlightjewelry.com/assets/img/work-aurora-front.jpg https://catchlightjewelry.com/journal/ https://catchlightjewelry.com/journal/how-to-choose-an-opal https://catchlightjewelry.com/journal/how-to-choose-an-opal Sat, 12 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0800 Buying guide Emily Opal has no 4Cs and no universal grading scale. What actually decides value — brightness, pattern, body tone and size — plus the five questions to ask before you pay and the red flags that mean walk away. https://catchlightjewelry.com/journal/opal-types-explained https://catchlightjewelry.com/journal/opal-types-explained Sat, 12 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0800 Gemstone guide Emily White, crystal, black, boulder, matrix and fire opal are not grades — they describe body tone, how the stone is cut, and where it came from. With a comparison table and a note on why "fire" means two different things. https://catchlightjewelry.com/journal/is-opal-durable https://catchlightjewelry.com/journal/is-opal-durable Sat, 12 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0800 Wearing and care Emily Opal sits at 5.5–6.5 on the Mohs scale and carries water inside its structure. Why the setting matters more than the stone, what crazing is, why Ethiopian opal behaves differently, and the care rules that actually matter.