gemstone

Opalite

Synthetic Opalite Glass / Opalized Glass

Hardness: 5.5-6 on the Mohs scale. Color: Translucent white to pale blue, showing an orange/amber glow when held against light. Luster: Glassy to vitreous. Structure: Amorphous (non-crystalline).

Hardness: 5
Luster: Glassy to vitreous

Identified July 27, 2026More gemstone →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 5.5-6 on the Mohs scale. Color: Translucent white to pale blue, showing an orange/amber glow when held against light. Luster: Glassy to vitreous. Structure: Amorphous (non-crystalline).

Formation & geological history

Opalite is a man-made synthetic glass designed to simulate natural opal or moonstone. It is produced industrially by fusing silica glass with metals such as dolomite and fluorite.

Uses & applications

Used widely in fashion jewelry, decorative carvings, beads, polished cabochons, and metaphysical crystal collecting.

Geological facts

Although often marketed as a natural stone or 'Opalite Moonstone,' true opalite is a synthetic glass product created by humans. However, natural opalite does exist as an impure form of natural opal, but polished decorative pieces like heart shapes are almost universally synthetic glass.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its milky translucent blue body color with a characteristic bright orange or warm glow under direct transmitted light, smooth glass-like texture, and absence of natural mineral inclusions.