Opalite is a gorgeous stone that is popular for both its natural beauty and spiritual implications. It is used in different pieces of jewelry, accessories, and as a meditation stone. These can be both naturally occurring and man-made.

Opalite is popularly called the Tiffany stone. Some attribute this nickname to the legendary luxury goods retailer and jewelry shop, Tiffany’s. Some say the luminous stone resembles the shining jewelry one would find displayed there; others say it’s a homage to the stone’s color, with reference to the beautiful blue wrapper Tiffany is famous for.

Others say it’s named after the daughter of a mine employee who used to collect the colorful gems brought home by her father. Whichever legend holds true, the name has survived the ages and is the most popular nickname of the stone today.

The gem is also called opalized fluorite, which refers to its chemical composition. It is also incorrectly called bertrandite, which is a mineral. But it is not present in the stone in a large percentage.

Opalite is also called ‘sea opal,’ ‘argenon,’ and ‘opal moonstone.’ Another popular name for it is ‘purple opal’ or, more deliciously, ‘ice-cream opal.’ These probably refer to its vibrant deep purple and lavender hues, which are streaked with white.

What is opalite? Where does it come from? Where is it found?

Opalite is actually the trade name for man-made opalescent glass and various opal simulants. It is occasionally used to refer to low-grade opal. It also refers to a particular mineral mined in Western Utah and found in some parts of Africa and Brazil. The naturally occurring or raw opalite can only be mined at the Brush Wellman Beryllium mine at Spor Mountain, Western Utah. This makes the stone quite a rarity. The opalite that is formed from volcanic ash is found in areas of the African sub-continent.

The man-made opalite is a variety of stone made out of clear, luminescent glass. The process of creating glass with an iridescent coating was created by the legendary Swarovski in 1956.

Types of opalite

There are two types of opalite—one which is naturally formed and the other is the human-made version. They’re both beautiful and powerful in their own right.

• Raw opalite is mined at the Brush Wellman Beryllium mine at Spor Mountain, Western Utah. It’s a form of opalized stone that is formed in mineralized nodules that are part of the ore produced there. These nodules contain between 1 to 2 percent beryllium (by weight). It’s predominantly composed of dolomite and opalized fluorite. It can be found along with quartz, chalcedony, and other minerals.

• The man-made opalite is a variety of clear, luminescent glass. While it does not form as a natural crystal, it’s still very popular, especially for its aesthetic appeal.

What is opalite made from?

The earth-derived stones are made of carbonate clast nodules, which have been mostly replaced by fluorite. It also comprises a small amount of bertrandite (a beryllium mineral) that occurs in submicroscopic amounts within the fluorite. Raw opalite can also be made out of opalized volcanic ash.

The man-made stones are created out of glass resin, which is made out of dolomite and metal. Its iridescent coating is born out of a process created by the legendary Swarovski in 1956.

Opalite uses

Opalite is used to create earrings, pendants, bracelets and can be carved into figurines, like Buddhas and skulls. It can be shaped into pointed crystal shapes. It can be sold as beads. It can be made into faceted briolettes, smooth cabochons, circles, ovals, hearts, and squares. It can be cut to look exactly like a multi-pointed gemstone. There are so many complimentary ways you can present this lovely stone.

The 4 Cs of opalite

Color: Opalite is famous for its clear, iridescent glow. The stone itself can be dark purple, lavender, and creamy white with swirls of brown, dark yellow, and pink when it’s cut en cabochon. It also comes in shades of purple, white, and blue. When viewed against a light background, it has a milky white appearance with golden highlights. When it is viewed against a dark background, it has a bluish glow. Keep this in mind when choosing the metal or whichever material for the setting that you want to use. And choose your stone accordingly, too.

Clarity: Man-made opalite has tiny bubbles within the glass. Aside from these bubbles, it is completely clear. It has a high level of clarity, and its ethereal glow is the stone’s trademark appearance. There are no impurities inside this stone; therefore, it is clear. Its luminosity changes when viewed against different backdrops. 

Carat weight: You can find opalite stones that are 50 – 200 ct. on a number of online stores.

Cut and shapes: Opalite is very easy to cut and quite a soft, malleable stone with a hardness rating of 5.5 – 6 Mohs. It can be made into a wide variety of styles of jewelry. It is popularly crafted into free-form cabochons. It can also be made into lovely, glowing beads and tumbled stones. You can also purchase it in its rough, uncut form. Due to these properties, it is easy to convert these gorgeous stones into stunning pieces of jewelry. You can get a custom cut and create detailed carvings on its lustrous surface.

Opalite and the Third Chakra:

Opalite opens up the third-eye chakra, also known as the Ajna or Agya chakra. It’s the sixth primary chakra on the body. It governs intuition, vision, and insights. Opalite is especially effective in opening the third eye when it’s combined with a Peruvian blue opal. If one places it over the crown chakra, it enhances the psychic powers and stimulates visions. This stone can stabilize mood swings and clear out blockages in our meridians and chakras, too.

Since the third eye is associated with our higher consciousness, spiritual, and love center, opalite is said to help one communicate with the spirit world. It has many uses, such as stabilizing mood swings and battling fatigue. It is also said to regulate the pituitary gland and purify the blood and kidneys through oxygenation.

Treatments of opalite

As opalite is made of glass, it is not usually treated.

Opalite meaning and value

This stone’s real value and meaning lies in its beauty and symbology. It represents clarity and new beginnings. It cleanses and balances our energy centers, connects us to the air and water elements, and aids us in emotional balance. It gives us a sense of childlike wonder. It promotes the ever-important feelings of comfort and safety.

Wearing an opalite necklace, bracelet, or ring will help us attract material abundance and prosperity. Money can be considered a form of energy, and since our crown chakras are the gateway to our higher selves, one can say that opalite creates a flow of positive, manifesting energy. It increases our potential to attract wealth.

Opalite’s properties

Opalite stone meanings are both bountiful and varied. Like quartz, this is made of silicon dioxide and has its own power. It has its own color, included materials and light refraction.

Opalite’s metaphysical properties

• Opalite has metaphysical properties that can enhance the positive aspects of communication, health, wealth, relationships, and tranquility.
• This stone is good for spiritual growth. It is a transformative stone and is connected to our third eye. The third-eye itself is known as the gateway between the physical and spiritual worlds, and the opalite helps the user to harness this power.
• It is known for its ability to balance the polarizing ying-yang energies present in each individual and to align them with the higher self. It is an ideal meditation stone because of this quality.

Opalite’s impact on our emotional health

• Opalites help us harness our inner power. Due to this, our self-esteem, self-worth, and self-confidence is also boosted.
• It promotes clear communication between us and ourselves, other people, and this physical world.
• It helps us in converting even our deepest emotions into words. Because of this, it promotes our mental calmness and peace. It can help one through emotional transitions, too, as it is known for its stabilizing powers.
• It is used as a positive influence in the home or the office. It is said to absorb negative energies and cleanse them. It is a good stone to put wherever you make a lot of important career or personal decisions.

What are opalite’s healing properties?

• Physically speaking, opalite is good to purify our blood through oxygenation.
• It is useful in maintaining our kidney function.
• It’s good for those who deal with anxiety disorders or have depressive tendencies.

Other opalite properties

• You can combine opalite with a fire opal to create a good balance of passion and vitality. You can also combine it with clear quartz to harmonize all the chakras.
• Amethyst and opalite are a powerful combination to dispel negative energy and to stimulate spiritual growth.
• Labradorite, similar to opalite, can be used to invigorate the crown and ajna chakras, so the two can be used together for optimal effect.
• It can even be used with normal opal to heighten spiritual prowess.
• Opalite is very easy to take care of. You can clean the opalite with warm water and soap. The process itself is very easy and quite calming. Just keep it in a cool, shaded place, and it will stay in good condition.

Opalite birthstone and benefits

The zodiac sign opalite is associated with is Cancer. Cancerians will benefit the most from opalite’s healing properties. This stone helps them connect their spiritual, mental, and physical energies. It helps them stay calm and reenergize themselves.

Where should you buy opalite from?

When purchasing opalite, one has to be very careful to find a trustworthy source. Before you buy anything, ensure you go through customer reviews, warrantees, and certification that guarantee the quality of the gems and metals. We at GemsforJewels, offer high quality, natural opalite gemstones. Our collection includes loose cabochons, strands, loose stones, beads, hearts, cubes, and other alluring shapes.