brucew
starting to shine!
Member since February 2016
Posts: 33
|
Post by brucew on Mar 1, 2017 20:10:23 GMT -5
Have a question about opal, Picked up several jars of various types of opal from an estate, all the jars of opal are filled with oil, thinking its vegtable oil judging by the smell (not good). The dates on the jar seals are all 1978.
Does anyone know about storing opal in oil ? As I have never seen it done before or heard of it. Have cleaned some and it is going to be a long messy job. 😝
|
|
spiritstone
Cave Dweller 
Member since August 2014
Posts: 2,061 
|
Post by spiritstone on Mar 1, 2017 20:52:08 GMT -5
Have a question about opal, Picked up several jars of various types of opal from an estate, all the jars of opal are filled with oil, thinking its vegtable oil judging by the smell (not good). The dates on the jar seals are all 1978. Does anyone know about storing opal in oil ? As I have never seen it done before or heard of it. Have cleaned some and it is going to be a long messy job. 😝 Australian Opal is non-porous and therefore impervious - it cannot soak up water, oil, or anything else. Ethiopian,Virgin Valley, Mex, BC etc... opals originate from volcanic activity. All volcanic opal is called “hydrophane opal." The term hydrophane comes from the Greek words meaning “water-loving” and describes their ability to absorb liquid and change from opaque or semi-translucent to translucent or transparent. Do not experiment by immersing these opals in water or other liquids or oils, since contamination can occur, leaving residues within the opal. Some like to store them in containers with mineral oil just for the wet look. |
|
Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,718
|
Post by Fossilman on Mar 1, 2017 21:24:48 GMT -5
Have a question about opal, Picked up several jars of various types of opal from an estate, all the jars of opal are filled with oil, thinking its vegtable oil judging by the smell (not good). The dates on the jar seals are all 1978. Does anyone know about storing opal in oil ? As I have never seen it done before or heard of it. Have cleaned some and it is going to be a long messy job. 😝 Photo's Bruce....................Sounds like a great score!! |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2017 10:38:08 GMT -5
Shouldn't be. Try soaking them in water with either dawn or calgon dishwasher powder.
Oil gone.
|
|
|
|
Post by radio on Mar 2, 2017 16:06:36 GMT -5
Have a question about opal, Picked up several jars of various types of opal from an estate, all the jars of opal are filled with oil, thinking its vegtable oil judging by the smell (not good). The dates on the jar seals are all 1978. Does anyone know about storing opal in oil ? As I have never seen it done before or heard of it. Have cleaned some and it is going to be a long messy job. 😝 What kind of opal? Some folks used to store Virgin Valley opals in heavy mineral oil. If it doesn't kill the fire, it's probably a good opal. I would just wipe them clean and let them air dry without soap & water. Pictures please. My guess would also be Virgin Valley opal. Gorgeous stuff, but most of it has to be kept in oil or water and is not suitable for cutting as it will craze like mad as it drys out. |
|
