Orchid Armor ™ Stabilization

Custom Stabilization Service

This listing is for our customers who would like OPL to apply our in-house Orchid Armor™ treatment to their own natural, untreated stones.

What is Orchid Armor?

Orchid Armor is a premium stabilization process that makes hydrophane opal tough, reliable, and water-safe. It was engineered specifically for knife handles and later adapted for jewelry, auctions, and collector-grade stones. Every batch has shown complete resistance to water-related problems - no swelling, no clouding, no solvent front - even under stress testing.

Where does Orchid Armor come from?

Orchid Armor comes from OPL (Opal Professor Laboratory), created and developed by the Director of Opal Science. It is not a mass-produced resin, not a generic epoxy, and not something you can buy off a shelf. Apex Armor is a proprietary stabilization system designed specifically for hydrophane opal and engineered from the ground up for knife handles, jewelry, and collector-grade stones.

Who makes Orchid Armor?

Orchid Armor is made by Joey Gage, Director of Opal Science and founder of OPL. Every batch is produced, tested, and verified by hand - including:

• 8-foot drop testing

• 2 0 - minute water immersion

• UV exposure cycling

• 0°-212°F thermal cycling

• Acetone wipe testing

Orchid Armor is not a factory product. It is a lab-engineered, small-batch stabilization system created by a single specialist.

Is Orchid Armor waterproof?

Yes - it is effectively waterproof by industry standards.

Orchid Armor stones have passed 20-minute full water immersion testing revealing:

• No clouding

• No hydration front development

• No structural change

This is real test data, not marketing.

Is Orchid Armor safe for people with epoxy skin sensitivity?

Yes. Epoxy sensitivity only happens when epoxy is wet and curing.

Orchid Armor is fully cured before you ever touch the stone, meaning:

• No uncured resin

• No amines

• No reactive chemicals

Once cured, Orchid Armor is inert and safe to handle.

Does Orchid Armor change the color of the opal?

Yes. Orchid Armor is vividly pink with an hidden UV fluorescence. This acts as an authentication guarantee, as the laser-grade dyes we use are only available to labs and research institutions.

How stable is Orchid Armor?

Orchid Armor has passed multiple real-world stress tests:

• 8-foot drop test → no cracks, no fractures

• 20-minute water immersion → no swelling, no clouding, no solvent front

• UV exposure → no yellowing

- 0° to 212 °F thermal range → no structural change

Orchid Armor Care Instructions

Can Ochid Armor be exposed to acetone?

Orchid Armor is safe for normal acetone use at the jewelry bench. A quick wipe-down to remove superglue or residue is perfectly fine. Orchid Armor handles normal maker use.

Do not fully submerge Orchid Armor in acetone.

How should I clean Orchid Armor?

Safe cleaning methods:

• Microfiber cloth

• Warm water rinse

• Mild soap

• Acetone wipe (not soak)

• Alcohol wipe

• Jewelry bench cleaning pads

Avoid

• Full acetone soaking

• Prolonged exposure to harsh solvents

• Direct flame

• Extreme thermal shock beyond tested ranges

Can Orchid Armor be used for knife handles?

Yes - Orchid Armor was literally engineered for knife handles. That's where the entire project started.

It was designed to survive:

• Cutting

• Shaping

• Polishing

• Long-term wear

• Moisture exposure

• Shop chemicals(including acetone wipes)

Knife makers can treat Orchid Armor stones like any other stabilized material.

Can Orchid Armor be used in jewelry?

Absolutely. Orchid Armor helps the stone stay stable in rings, pendants, earrings, and bezel settings. No hydration swelling, no shrinking, no surprises.

Does Orchid Armor hide cracks?

No. Orchid Armor is pink, but clear. It stabilizes the stone but doesn't cover or disguise natural features.

Does Orchid Armor yellow over time?

No. Orchid Armor stays clear long-term, even under UV exposure.

Is Orchid Armor a coating?

No. Orchid Armor is a penetrating stabilization, not a surface coating. It strengthens the inside of the stone, not the outside.

Is Orchid Armor permanent?

Yes. Once cured, Orchid Armor becomes a permanent part of the stone's structure.