
JEWELRY SPERGING ZONE
1. No opal is sturdy even if it's lab, with a maximum hardness of 6.5 on the mohs scale, and 2. 'water soluble' is an inaccurate term as they do not dissolve in water but rather absorb moisture which leads to a loss of fire, a yellowing in color, and an internal cracking within the stone that eventually makes its way to the surface. This happens to both lab and natural opals. Lab created opals are mostly opaque so it's not an issue of clarity, but it will still destroy the stone. The stone itself does not dissolve but repeated surface contact with chemicals will pit and degrade the polished surface, which effects how the light interacts with the internal structure of the stone (silica spheres). This applies to both natural and lab created opals, but it
is true lab created opals are a cost effective alternative because they are more easily replaced. She will never know the joys of anything more than a common white lab created opal.
I agree it is absolutely mass produced trash, as you implied. I am surprised she has not knocked a white topaz out of it yet. That ring wont last 5 years.