Opalite
Synthetic Glass / Man-made Opal Simulant · Decorative Stone / Man-made Simulant
Crystal System
Amorphous (Non-crystalline)
Mineral Group
Man-made Glass / Artificial Silicate
Chemical Formula
SiO2 (glass-based, primarily silicon dioxide with added metal oxides for effect)
Formation Process
Synthetic melting and cooling of glass, combining silicon dioxide and other compounds to produce an opalescent appearance
About This Crystal
A smooth, polished, tumbled or cabochon-cut synthetic glass specimen displaying a milky translucent body with a characteristic bluish or whitish glow and often a warm orange or yellowish cast when viewed from certain angles or light sources
Physical Characteristics
Color: Milky white to translucent blue with orange play of light; Streak: White; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: Around 2.40 to 2.50; Tenacity: Brittle; Fluorescence: Sometimes inert or faintly glowing depending on the specific glass batch
Optical Properties
Singly refractive, isotropic glass, strong adularescence-like internal blue glow under direct lighting, often showing a warm orange or peach-toned transmitted light
Hardness & Durability
Origin Region
Manufactured globally, primarily in laboratories and factories in China and India
Hardness & Durability
Mohs hardness of approximately 5.5 to 6; moderate durability but prone to scratching by harder minerals like quartz; suitable for gentle jewelry use
Care & Maintenance
Clean with warm soapy water and a soft cloth; avoid harsh chemicals, ultrasonic cleaners, and sudden extreme temperature changes; store separately from harder gemstones to prevent scratching
Rarity & Value
Very common and inexpensive mass-produced decorative material, widely accessible globally
Special Characteristics
Displays a striking milky blue opalescence in reflected light contrasting with a warm orange/peach glow in transmitted light, purely due to the optical scattering properties of the manufactured glass
Lore & History
Popular in modern crystal healing and new age practices as a stone for psychic abilities, emotional balance, and transitions; often associated with the third eye chakra, though it holds no historical or natural mineralogical antiquity