OUR OPALS

Golden Hour Co. only uses ethically mined Ethiopian opals. Opals are delicate in nature and reflect various colors when exposed to light. Opal hardness depends on the specific type of opal but ranges from 5 to 6.5 on Mohs hardness scale. Opal jewelry must be worn with care and not exposed to perfumes, lotions etc. to prevent opal discoloration. Always remove opal jewelry before swimming, or while exposed to extreme heat (ex. saunas, sun-tanning).

Ethiopian opals were discovered in 1990 from regions of the northern mountains of Ethiopa. Volcanic activity creates their unique appearance. However, the oldest opals found in a Kenyan cave date back to roughly 4000 BC. These opals are hydrophane which means they absorb water. This in return shifts their coloring and appearance and becomes transparent in water. Ethiopian opals are larger and more rare than Australian opals.

Right now, the biggest opal mining regions in the world have strict policies regarding the trade of opals. Specifically, in regards to mining methods, how they are sourced, and the fundamental human rights metrics to adhere to. In the past, this wasn't always the case. Ethically mined opals are mined in a way to not adversely affect the environment and also provides safe conditions for workers and miners. Golden Hour Co. only uses ethically-mined opals to align with our goal for minimal environmental impact and ensure that workers in our supply chain are working in healthy conditions.