mineral

Opalite

Synthetic Glass (typically Silica/Magnesium based with metal additives)

Hardness: 5.5-6.0 Mohs; Color: Translucent milky white with blue/orange opalescence; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal Structure: Amorphous (non-crystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: ~2.4-2.5

Hardness: 5
Color: Translucent milky white with blue/orange opalescence
Luster: Vitreous

Identified June 7, 2026More mineral →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Opalite is a man-made variety of glass. It is created in industrial glass factories by melting silica and adding metals or metallic oxides to create the distinctive opalescent 'glow' and 'Tyndall effect' (scattering of light).

Uses & applications

Used primarily for ornamental purposes, jewelry making, beads, tumbled stones, and 'healing crystal' collections. It is popular in decorative carvings and mass-produced points or obelisks.

Geological facts

While it shares a name with natural opal, it is entirely synthetic. When placed against a dark background, it appears blue; when held up to light, it often shows an amber or orange-warm glow due to the way light passes through the glass.

Field identification & locations

Identify by looking for small air bubbles (not present here but common in glass) or a very uniform, 'too perfect' milkiness. It lacks the natural fire or internal play-of-color found in genuine precious opal. It is commonly found in retail gift shops and crystal markets.

Other mineral specimens

See all

Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)

Arenite (SiO2 based)

sedimentary

Schist

Metamorphic

Epidote

Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)

metamorphic

Nephrite Jade

Nephrite

Mineral/Rock

Banded Gneiss (River Rock/Pebble)

Gneiss (specifically a banded variety often found as a river rock)

Metamorphic Rock

Biotite Schist

Biotite-rich Schist [K(Mg,Fe)3AlSi3O10(F,OH)2]

metamorphic