gemstone

Opalite

Man-made Glass (Synthetic Opalized Glass)

Mohs hardness: 5.5 to 6; Color: Translucent white or milky blue with an orange-yellow glow when light passes through it (opalescence); Luster: Vitreous; Crystal structure: Amorphous; Cleavage: Conchoidal fracture.

Hardness: 5
Luster: Vitreous

Identified July 6, 2026More gemstone →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Opalite is a man-made variety of glass. While natural opal is a mineraloid formed from silica-rich water in sedimentary environments, opalite is manufactured by melting silica and other components (like dolomite or metallic salts) to achieve its signature luminosity.

Uses & applications

Primarily used for decorative purposes, jewelry (beads, cabochons), holistic or metaphysical practices, and as an affordable alternative to natural precious opal.

Geological facts

Although the term 'Opalite' was originally used to describe a specific type of natural common opal found in nature, in the modern commercial market, it almost exclusively refers to this translucent man-made glass. It is famous for the Tyndall effect, which causes the blue-to-orange color shift.

Field identification & locations

Identify by looking for a consistent, milky translucency and a characteristic orange glow when held against a light source. Unlike natural opal, it will not have a 'play of color' (flashes of rainbow fire) and will often contain tiny bubbles under magnification.