Need Help with Opalite Type

by Tamara Summers.
(Sarnia, Ontario, Canada)

Quite a few years ago, I came across a pair of quite heavy milky-coloured earrings in a consignment clothing store.

Opalite Pendant (held up to the sun)

As I picked them up I noticed a flash of red from inside of them. My first thought was that they were too heavy to be worn as earrings, which was probably why they were there. But they would make lovely, interesting pendants, so home with me they came!

Opalite Necklaces

I started to search on-line for more information about my opal-like treasures, and ended up finding this site, before it was JMJ. 🙂 My search turned up Rena’s post about Opalite, which she referenced in her last newsletter. After reading that, several years ago, I was convinced that I had Opalite pendants, but over the years I’ve hung on to them.

After reading Rena’s post again with the last newsletter, it reminded me that I’m still not exactly sure what type of Opalite I have, glass, gemstone (dolomite, quartz and fluorite), or impure opal. So I thought I’d share pictures, and hopefully get an opinion or two.

Opalite 3-Strand Chip Necklace with Red Flash

My pendants don’t really have the same blue glow that Rena’s pendants had, even against a dark background.

I’ve made beaded necklaces in shades that compliment the pale blue, white, and golden shades in the Opalite. For one, I made a three-strand necklace with beads and chips of Opalite, quartz, shell, glass and pearl.

Opalite Necklace with Brown Art Beads, with Red Flash

For the other one, I chose brown accent beads with copper and pale blue designs on them, then added soft blue ceramic beads, pale blue and golden pearls, and brown seed beads. I didn’t want to take away from the unique but simple pendants, so I kept my designs simple and complimentary to the Opalite.

Thank you for your help with this. Identification isn’t always my strong point. 🙂

Tamara Summers
Pink Pearls and Potpourri at Etsy