Did you Know?

About opal:

If you wash your hands or shower with soap and wear your precious opal, the detergent or soap will combine with the hydrous ends of the silica and it certainly will crack the opal over time.

If you leave opal in a small glass box and it is exposed to direct sun it, too, will crack the opal because the water locked in the opal (hydrated silica = SiO₂.nH₂O) evaporates.

About ruby:

It is a myth that the pigeon blood ruby is the best. Most rubies which have that colour are heat treated. The natural colour of fine rubies is a range of pink to pinkish red. If you ever get offered a natural dark (pigeon blood) ruby which has not been treated you can call yourself lucky and probably wouldn't have the money to buy it anyway. A 1+ carat gem like this is at least a few $1,000 to several $10,000 worth depending on clarity, fire and cut. Natural untreated rubies have also a higher lustre compared to heat treated rubies. The treatment makes them quite dull as well.