Opalite
Synthetic Glass / Simulated Opal · Decorative Stone / Synthetic Gemstone
Crystal System
Amorphous (Non-crystalline)
Mineral Group
Man-made glass / Silicate-based artificial material
Chemical Formula
SiO2 (glass base with metal oxides for color)
Formation Process
Synthetic/man-made through the rapid cooling and fusing of glass with dolomite and other metal oxides to achieve its characteristic opalescent glow.
About This Crystal
A polished, tumbled, cushion-cut specimen that is translucent to semi-translucent with a smooth, glossy, vitreous luster. It exhibits a milky white or pale blue body color with a distinct warm orange-to-yellow glow or adularescence when light passes through it.
Physical Characteristics
Color varies from milky white to translucent blue with a peach/orange internal glow. White streak, completely amorphous with conchoidal fracture and no cleavage planes. Specific gravity is typically around 2.4 to 2.5. Brittle tenacity, inert to magnetism and piezoelectricity.
Optical Properties
Isotropic (singly refractive) due to its glass composition. Exhibits strong adularescence or Schiller effect, creating a glowing moonstone-like or opal-like internal light dispersion.
Hardness & Durability
Origin Region
Manufactured globally, primarily in China, India, and the United States
Hardness & Durability
Mohs hardness of approximately 5.5 to 6. Moderate durability, prone to scratching by quartz and harder minerals. Suitable for careful jewelry use if protected from hard impacts.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with warm soapy water and a soft cloth. Avoid harsh chemical cleaners, ultrasonic cleaners, and prolonged exposure to extreme heat. Store separately from harder gemstones to prevent surface scratching.
Rarity & Value
Common and inexpensive. Widely mass-produced as an affordable decorative stone and crystal alternative. Typically valued strictly as a low-cost ornamental material.
Special Characteristics
Displays a striking optical illusion resembling adularescence or opalescence, created entirely through artificial glass-making techniques rather than natural mineral growth.
Lore & History
Popular in modern crystal healing and new age practices as a stone of transition, inner strength, and emotional healing. Often associated with the third eye and crown chakras. Note that these are modern metaphysical beliefs and not scientifically validated properties, as the stone is entirely synthetic.