Opalite: NOT a Gemstone! NOT Quartz!! Just Glass

I got a "recommended shop" from Etsy today, and the seller is offering "Opal Quartz" because it's the "birthstone for October".

What is Opal Quartz, you ask?  Well it's actually Opalite.  

Opalite is GLASS.  It's not quartz.  It's not opal.  It's not "Blue Fire" opal.  It's never described as "eye clean" like actual gemstones.  It's not rated as "AAA+" or anything else, like gemstones are. Opalite is just glass, manmade glass that has an iridescent quality. It is certainly NOT the birthstone for October, since it's not a "stone" at all---it is glass.

It's also not worth anywhere near $48 and up for one Opalite briolette on a chain.

You can buy an entire STRAND of Opalite at Michaels for $3.99.  And at Michael's, they are honest enough to label it "Opalite Glass" because THAT is what it is.  Retail establishments would HAVE to honestly state what an item is, for fear of getting into trouble with the FCC for fraud.  I guess small online Ebay and Etsy sellers don't care about that, or think they won't get into trouble.

Is there such a stone at all called "opal quartz"?  The answer is NO.

Genuine Ethopian "Welo" Opals

For the money you might spend on this glass briolette necklace, you can buy a beautiful Welo Opal (also known as Ethopian Opal) piece and that IS a GENUINE OPAL, and is spectacular!  






Please, buyer beware!!!  Use Google to find out more information before making a purchase.  Be an informed consumer!