Opals seem to hold entire galaxies inside them. That dancing, shifting color - like fire and mist trapped in stone - is part of what makes opal so mesmerizing. But their beauty comes with a layer of fragility, which leads to one of the most commonly asked questions by new owners and collectors alike:
Can opals get wet?
The answer is yes, but there’s nuance. And that nuance matters if you want your opal to stay luminous and alive.
Understanding What Opals Are Made Of
To know how opals respond to water, you first have to understand what they are. Unlike many other gemstones, opals aren't crystalline. They’re formed from a network of silica spheres, and they contain a surprisingly high amount of water - anywhere from 3% to 21% of their total weight, depending on the type of opal.
That water content is part of what gives opals their famous play-of-color, that flickering effect that seems to shift with every movement. But it’s also what makes them more sensitive to changes in their environment.
So when people ask if opals can get wet, they’re usually trying to avoid cracking, clouding, or some kind of irreversible damage. That fear isn’t unfounded - but it also depends on the type of opal you’re dealing with.
Solid Opals vs. Doublets and Triplets
A solid opal is one continuous piece of natural opal with no layered construction. These are generally more stable when it comes to water exposure. A brief encounter with water won’t hurt them. You can rinse them carefully, wear them on a humid day, or even get caught in the rain without causing disaster. That said, long-term soaking is still not a good idea. Prolonged exposure can draw out moisture unevenly or cause expansion and contraction that may lead to internal stress.
On the other hand, opal doublets and triplets are layered stones. They’re made by gluing a thin slice of opal to a backing (and in the case of triplets, capping the top with quartz or glass). These layers are sealed with adhesives that can weaken when exposed to water over time. If water seeps between the layers, the result is usually a foggy, milky look that dulls the color. Sometimes the layers can even separate.
So yes, opals can get wet. But with doublets and triplets, they shouldn’t.
What Happens If You Soak an Opal?
Nothing dramatic happens at first. There’s no hiss, no crack, no instant damage. But soaking a solid opal for a long time - in water, especially warm or chlorinated water - can draw out internal moisture or shift its structure just enough to cause microfractures. Those fractures may not be visible at first. They develop slowly, over time, and they’re nearly impossible to reverse.
With layered opals, the effects show up sooner. Fogging, color loss, and adhesive breakdown can begin with just a few repeated exposures.
The more often it happens, the worse it gets.
The Best Way to Clean and Care for Opals
Cleaning opals doesn’t have to involve water at all. For most day-to-day maintenance, a soft, dry microfiber cloth works beautifully. If something more is needed, lightly dampen the cloth with cool water and gently wipe the surface. Avoid soap unless it's extremely mild and chemical-free, and avoid immersing the stone completely.
Skip steam cleaners, ultrasonic machines, or anything that uses high heat or pressure. Those are opal’s worst enemies.
If your opal is set in jewelry, keep in mind that metal settings like gold or silver may handle water differently than the stone itself. Always dry pieces thoroughly and avoid storing opals in airtight boxes or places with very low humidity, which can cause them to dry out over time.
Yes, opals can dry out.
Can You Use Water for Energetic Cleansing?
Spiritually, opals are often associated with intuition, inspiration, and emotional expression. Some people like to cleanse their gemstones in water as part of their ritual practice. In the case of opals, that needs a little modification.
Instead of submerging the stone, consider placing it near a bowl of water, letting the water represent flow and renewal symbolically. You can also cleanse opals with smoke, moonlight, or sound - all safe and meaningful methods that won’t risk damage.
If you're working with an heirloom opal or a layered piece, water shouldn’t be part of the process at all.
Handle With Awareness, Not Fear
Opals ask for a bit of mindfulness. That doesn’t mean they’re too fragile to enjoy. You don’t have to be afraid of wearing them, touching them, or living with them. You just have to know what they respond well to - and what causes slow damage over time.
Moisture is part of what gives opal its magic. But too much, applied in the wrong way, can dull that magic fast.
So yes, opals can get wet. But knowing when, how, and for how long makes all the difference.
