Opal Claddagh Ring, Tips On Selecting An Opal Claddagh Ring
An opal claddagh ring would be a gorgeous jewel, but there are a few things that you should know before choosing an opal claddagh ring. In this article, we explain the issues related to choosing the opal gemstone and the metal for your opal claddagh ring. You will also understand why a claddagh opal gemstone ring, would be a ring that enhances the meaning of a birthstone ring. Useful tips on caring and cleaning opal claddagh rings have also been provided. All this information will be relevant for an opal claddagh ring no matter from where you buy it.
Opal Claddagh Ring, The Choice Of The Opal Gemstone.
There are two types of opal that are commonly used in opal claddagh rings. You could find a white opal claddagh ring or a fire opal claddagh ring. The gemstone in a white opal claddagh ring would be transluscent to opaque, it could show tiny specks of color flashes or be a flat plain white color. Most white opals would be a slight off white color shade, the specks of color flashes increase the beauty and value of the gemstone. Choose a white opal that has these color flashes for your opal claddagh ring. A fire opal is the only opal that shows a high degree of transparency, the gemstone could range in color from a pale orange to a deep reddish-orange. The color shade of a fire opal for your claddagh ring could be based on your personal preference. If you are working with a substantial budget, a black opal claddagh ring would also be an option.
Selecting The Metal For Your Opal Claddagh Ring.
An opal claddagh ring could be made in gold or sterling silver. You would make a choice of a gold or silver claddagh opal ring based on your personal choice and budget. Insist on a good quality opal gemstone and good craftsmanship for your claddagh ring, this should be for a silver or gold opal claddagh ring. When ordering a gold claddagh ring, you will need to choose from white or yellow gold. A fire opal claddagh ring would look great in white or yellow gold, this is because of the orange-red color tone of the gemstone. But pay a little attention to the gemstone when thinking of a white opal white gold claddagh ring. A white opal gemstone with no specks of color flashes, would appear more like a piece of cheap plastic. Such a gemstone would look placid and dull in a white gold opal claddagh ring. We would not recommend this low grade white opal gemstone for either white or yellow gold. Ask your jeweller to change the gemstone, if he cannot, then go ahead and change your jeweller.
Significance Of An Opal Claddagh Ring.
The claddagh ring with its 375 year tradition is regarded as, one of the most meaningful jewels in history. Your opal claddagh ring has certain important features like the hands, heart and crown. The meaning of a claddagh ring lies in these features and the ring is often referred to as the crown, heart and hands ring. The first claddagh ring is believed to have been made by an Irish slave by the name of Robert Joyce. Even the harsh conditions of slavery could not make young Roberts forget his beloved. The hands in your opal claddagh ring show friendship and togetherness, the crown symbolizes loyalty and the heart stands for love. The ring could be used to denote love between a husband and wife, between lovers, between a mother and child or even between good friends. This means that your claddagh opal ring could be worn as an engagement or wedding ring, a birthstone ring, a valentines ring or even as a promise ring. The claddagh ring is suited for all occassions including casual wear. Of particular significance is a claddagh birthstone ring. It has been believed for centuries that, wearing a ring with the birthstone of the person brings good luck and wards off evil. The opal gemstone is the birth stone for October, your opal claddagh ring would therefore make a perfect October birthstone ring. The meaning of the claddagh ring combined with the significance of a birthstone ring, enhances the meaning of your claddagh opal gemstone ring. You should know that the significance or importance of your claddagh ring, does not depend on the metal used. A gold or silver opal claddagh ring would therefore have the same meaning, keep this in mind when working on your budget.
Type Of Mounting For The Opal Gemstone.
Most jewellers prefer to use prong settings for gemstones. This is mainly done to save on metal weight and therefore lower costs. However, the best type of gemstone mounting for your opal claddagh ring would be where, the entire gemstone is bordered with silver or gold. This will protect the gemstone from chipping with side impact, remember that the edge of a gemstone is most often the thinnest part of the gemstone too. Compromising on metal weight might get you a claddagh ring that is initially cheap, however frequent repairs and replacements in the long run will add to the final cost. If you are working with a limited budget, a good quality well designed silver opal claddagh ring, is a better choice as compared to a light weight and flimsy gold claddagh opal ring. There is no reason why a silver claddagh ring should have bad craftsmanship or a low grade opal gemstone, this is the truth no matter what your jeweller tries to tell you.
Looking After Your Opal Claddagh Ring.
Every gemstone jewel will need to consider the characteristics and properties of the gemstone when wearing, storing or cleaning the jewel. You will therefore need to understand the nature of opal gemstones, this will allow you to have an opal claddagh ring that looks gorgeous many years from now. Much of the beauty and color flashes of the opal gemstone are created by the moisture content in opals. It is therefore important to keep your opal claddagh ring away from strong heat or heat sources. Heat can cause the moisture to dry, this would leave the opal looking pale and dull. When cleaning your opal claddagh ring, soak the ring in plain cool water for a minute or two. Pick the ring up and gently dab it dry with a soft cloth, make sure that the cloth has no buttons or metal clips as these could scratch the opal gemstone. Do not use detergents and other cleaning solutions to clean your opal claddagh ring. Ultrasonic cleaners, blowers and dryers should also not be used for any type of opal ring. If the gemstone in your gold or silver opal claddagh ring has prongs to set the gemstone, ensure that the cloth does not get caught in the prongs. This could result in the prongs opening up and loosening the gemstone. We have already mentioned above that, a mounting where the entire opal is bordered with metal is better than a prong type of mounting. In case of a silver opal claddagh ring, a ring with no rhodium or other plating is the best choice. You can reduce or eliminate silver tarnish by occassionally wiping the ring with a soft moist cloth. The cloth should be soft without any hard objects like clips and pins, there is no need to make the cloth dripping wet.
You can see a collection of gold and silver opal claddagh rings at this link.
http://www.kaijewels.com/opal-claddagh-rings-th-kj-01.htm
Read the detailed information provided for each of these claddagh opal rings. This will allow you to evaluate various opal claddagh rings before you make a final selection. This article is not meant to get us your opal claddagh ring order, all we expect you to do is to make a well informed decision.
The above information is compiled by http://www.kaijewels.com and http://www.kaisilver.com the worlds leading online providers of high end custom jewelry. All jewelry is custom made in gold or sterling silver with gemstones of your choice.