Moonstone is a natural stone from the feldspar family, opalite is glass made by people. They look alike because of their milky white colour and soft shine. Still, you see the difference quickly if you know where to look: the glow, the inside of the stone and the label on the product.
On Reddit and in jewellery groups, things often go wrong. People buy a ring as moonstone and find out later that it is opalite. With the tips below, that will not happen to you.
Saturn Bracelet Large Moonstone
What exactly is opalite?
Opalite is a kind of glass with a milky effect inside. It does not come from the ground, but from a factory. Despite the name, it also has nothing to do with real opal.
That does not make opalite a bad choice. It is simply a different material, with its own look. The problem only starts when a seller offers opalite as moonstone. Want to know more about that difference? Then read the blog about the difference between natural and synthetic gemstones.
Beaded Necklace 2mm Moonstone 42cm +2cm
How do you see the difference with the naked eye?
You do not need a loupe to make a first guess. Pay attention to three things, and you usually know already.
The glow moves differently
With moonstone, the glow floats across the stone like a small cloud. If you tilt it, the sheen moves along and sometimes disappears for a moment. With opalite the shine is spread much more evenly, equally strong everywhere.
Hold the stone against the light
This is the best known test. Opalite looks bluish against a dark background, but turns orange or amber when you hold a light behind it. Moonstone does not do that, it stays white to grey with the same soft sheen.
Look at the inside
Natural moonstone often has small lines or spots. These are inclusions, and they are part of the stone. Opalite is very even, and sometimes you see a tiny air bubble in it. Such a bubble points to glass.
Beaded Ring Facet Roundel Moonstone
Which stone is stronger in daily life?
Moonstone scores 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale. It does split more easily along a plane if you knock it hard. So treat it as a stone you wear with care, especially on your hand.
Opalite is glass and feels like it too. It scratches with rough use and sometimes chips at an edge. In practice both stones need the same care: take them off when you exercise, do not store them loose between other jewellery and clean them with a soft cloth.
How do you know what you are buying?
The simplest answer: read the specifications. An honest seller says clearly whether a stone is natural or synthetic. If it only says "moonstone look" or "moonstone colour", it is often opalite or glass.
At Sparkling Jewels this is stated for every product in the specifications. Moonstone has the label natural stone, opalite the label synthetic. The founder regularly visits the workshops in Italy, Bangkok and Hong Kong and tests the materials there herself. That way you know exactly what you wear around your wrist or neck.
What do you look for when you buy online?
Online you cannot hold the stone in your hand. So first look at the photos. A good webshop shows the stone on a white background and in a lifestyle photo around the neck or wrist. In that second photo you see how the glow falls in real light.
Then look at the metal. Real gemstones are usually set in real silver or gold. For our moonstone jewellery that is 925 sterling silver with a layer of gold or rhodium, and for a few rings solid 9 carat gold. If it only says "silver coloured", it is often a cheaper alloy.
Finally, read the reviews. Customers often write honestly whether the colour in real life matches the photo. That tells you more than a pretty product name.
Moonstone or opalite: which do you choose?
Choose moonstone if you value a natural stone with its own character. Every stone is different, and the glow changes with the light. Moonstone is also the more obvious choice if the symbolism matters to you. You can read more about that in the meaning of moonstone.
Choose opalite if you love a sleek, even shine. It looks fresh and dreamy, and every bead looks the same. That is nice in a long row, as in beaded necklaces.
Not sure about the shade of moonstone itself? In the blog about what colour moonstone is you can see all the varieties. And want to see the real stones side by side? Then take a look at the moonstones in the collection.
Frequently asked questions about moonstone and opalite
I'm happy to answer a few frequently asked questions:
Is opalite fake moonstone?
No, opalite is a material of its own. It is only misleading when someone sells it as moonstone. Under its own name it is simply a beautiful glass stone.
Is opalite the same as opal?
No. Opal is a natural stone with a play of colours. Opalite is glass, and the name is mainly a trade name.
Can you wear moonstone and opalite together?
Yes, that works really well. The two milky white shades are close to each other, so it looks calm. The difference in shine actually adds a little depth.
Why is moonstone usually more expensive?
Moonstone comes from nature, and after that it has to be selected and cut. Opalite is made in large quantities with a fixed quality. You see that difference in the price.
Want to know more, or have questions? The experts at Sparkling Jewels are happy to help.
