Opalite
Opalite
Opalite is the name for man-made opalescent glass. The term is sometimes erroneously used for impure common opal. In 1988 a plastic opal simulant was introduced with the tradename “opalite”.
General Information
LWUV: Variable; plastic: bluish white, orange edges
Opalite Colors
-
Blue -
White -
Pink -
Multi-color -
Colorless
Alternate Names
Opal simulate, glass, argenon, sea opal, and opal moonstone,opal essence
Countries of Origin
Unknown; China; Japan
Care
Normal Care
Material Composition
Opalite Glass
Opalite is a man-made opalescent glass. When opalite is placed against a dark backdrop, it takes on a luminous blue or pink glow. Blue opalite has even been confused for moonstone at times.
Opalite Plastic
First manufactured in the late 1970’s in Japan these plastic opal simulants show play of color and are often confused with true opals. The material is constructed of minute polystyrene spheres that often show a columnar appearance in profile.
