Where is Opalite found?

Opalite occurs in specific geological environments. Knowing where to look, and in what kind of rock, is the difference between going home empty-handed and finding a great specimen.

Where to find Opalite

Collecting tips

1. Distinguish from Natural Opal. Natural opal exhibits a true 'play-of-color' (diffraction of light into spectral hues) that shifts with viewing angle. Opalite (glass) shows a consistent milky or bluish glow, often with an orange backlight effect, but no true play-of-color. High-quality synthetic opals (e.g., Gilson opal) do show play-of-color but often have a more uniform or 'snake-skin' pattern compared to natural opal.
2. Check for Bubbles. As a glass product, Opalite may sometimes contain small, spherical gas bubbles, which are absent in natural opal. However, modern manufacturing techniques can minimize or eliminate these.
3. Temperature Test. Glass Opalite will feel cooler to the touch than natural opal, which is a poor conductor of heat. This is a less reliable test for resin-based Opalite.
4. Hardness Test. Opalite (glass) typically has a Mohs hardness of 5.5-6, similar to natural opal (5.5-6.5). This test is not definitive for differentiation.

Quick Check

Color:

Milky white, bluish-white, or pale blue; orange/amber when backlit.

Luster:

Vitreous (glassy).

Streak:

White (as it is glass or resin).

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