Opalite
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/19/10-20MM_Tumble_Polished_Opalite.jpg/220px-10-20MM_Tumble_Polished_Opalite.jpg)
Opaliteis atrade namefor syntheticopalescentglassand variousopalandmoonstonesimulants. Other names for this glass product includeargenon,sea opal,opal moonstone,and other similar names.[1][2]It is also used to promote impure varieties of variously colored commonopal.[1]
Natural opalite (as opposed to the man-made opalite) shares the same basic chemical properties as opal. It is made of tiny spheres ofsilicon dioxide,which stack onto each other in a pyramid grid shape. This grid is what allows thecat's-eye effectto be displayed when the stone is cut into a high-domedcabochon.Natural opalite is referred to as "common opal" to prevent confusing it with glass opalite.
When opalite glass is placed against a dark background, it appears to have a blue color. When placed against a light background, it is milky white with an orange or pink glow. Since it is glass, it may sometimes contain air bubbles, an after-effect of the forming process.[citation needed]
Usages
[edit]Opalite is mainly used as a decorative stone and is usually sold either tumble polished or carved into decorative objects. Some sellers will sell opalite asopalormoonstone.[citation needed]
References
[edit]- ^abOpalite,Mindat.org
- ^Eckert, Allan W. (1997).The World of Opals.New York:John Wiley and Sons.pp. 107–08.ISBN978-0-471-13397-1.