gemstone
Opalite
Synthetic glass / Opaque silicious glass
Hardness of 5.5 to 6 on the Mohs scale, milky white to translucent body color with a distinct blue or orange adularescence/glow, vitreous luster, amorphous crystal structure (glass)
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Physical properties
Hardness of 5.5 to 6 on the Mohs scale, milky white to translucent body color with a distinct blue or orange adularescence/glow, vitreous luster, amorphous crystal structure (glass)
Formation & geological history
Man-made synthetic glass created in laboratories by fusing silica with other metal oxides to produce the characteristic opalescent glow
Uses & applications
Widely used in jewelry making, ornamental carvings, decorative items, and metaphysical healing practices
Geological facts
Despite often being sold under misleading trade names such as sea opal or opal moonstone, opalite is not a true mineral or natural opal, but rather an engineered glass. It is prized for its ethereal glowing appearance.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its smooth, milky appearance that glows bright blue when viewed against a dark background or under direct light; commonly found in metaphysical shops and jewelry stores worldwide
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