Mineral (Synthetic/Man-made)

Opalite

Opalescent Glass (SiO2 + coloring agents)

Hardness: 5-6 Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to translucent blue with orange/pink 'fire' when held to light; Luster: Vitreous/Glassy; Crystal structure: Amorphous (non-crystalline); Specific Gravity: 2.4 - 2.5.

Hardness: 5-6 Mohs scale
Luster: Vitreous/Glassy

Identified March 25, 2026More mineral (synthetic/man-made) →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Opalite is a synthetic, man-made material produced by melting silica glass at high temperatures and adding metal oxides to achieve the opalescent shimmer effect. It is not a natural geological formation.

Uses & applications

Used primarily in the costume jewelry industry for beads, cabochons, and decorative carvings. It is popular in crystal healing and metaphysical communities.

Geological facts

Because it is man-made, it does not have a geological age. It is often mislabeled as 'Sea Opal' or 'Moonstone' by retailers, but it can be easily distinguished from natural gems by look and feel.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by looking for tiny air bubbles (usually only visible under magnification) and a very consistent, smooth texture typical of glass. Unlike real opal, its 'flash' is a consistent internal glow rather than distinct color patches.

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Opalite

Synthetic Opalised Glass

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Opalite

Synthetic Opalised Glass

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Opalite (Synthetic Moonstone/Sea Opal)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) glass with metallic inclusions

Synthetic/Man-made Glass

Bouncy Ball (Synthetic Rubber Polymer)

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