Man-made opal simulants can be legitimate products as long as they are not presented to buyers as natural opal. If the name “opal” is used, their man-made origin should be clearly revealed. This can be done with a preceding adjective, such as “imitation opal” or “simulated opal”. Marketing them without disclosure could be considered as…

The name “opalite” is used for a wide variety of man-made materials. Many of them would be properly labeled “imitation opal” or “opal simulant” in a retail setting. They do not have the same chemical composition and physical properties as natural opal; instead, they simply look like natural opal. Man-made materials called opalite range from…

The name opalite was defined as common opal in geology and gemology glossaries as early as 1945. This predates the use of the word opalite as a marketing term for an imitation opal. It is defined as a natural common opal that does not show play-of-color. (The first use of the word opalite as a marketing term for man-made materials…

Opalite is a name used in two different ways: 1. As a synonym for common opal (natural opal that does not exhibit play-of-color). 2. As a marketing term used for numerous man-made materials that have an opal-like appearance but are composed of plastic or glass.