gemstone
Opalite
Synthetic Glass / Man-made Opal Simulant
Hardness of 5.5 to 6 on the Mohs scale, milky white base with an iridescent blue or orange glow when lit, vitreous luster, amorphous crystal structure, no cleavage.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 5.5 to 6 on the Mohs scale, milky white base with an iridescent blue or orange glow when lit, vitreous luster, amorphous crystal structure, no cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Manufactured by humans in a laboratory or factory setting by fusing glass with metal oxides to simulate natural opal or moonstone.
Uses & applications
Widely used in affordable fashion jewelry, tumbling, metaphysical crystal collections, and decorative items.
Geological facts
Despite being sold under mineral-sounding trade names like opalite, opaline, or sea opal, it is actually a processed glass and does not form in nature.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its characteristic milky translucence with a striking blue opalescence, uniform tumbled shapes, and lack of natural inclusions.
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