White Opal and Petalite Physical Properties
Tenacity
Not Available
  
Brittle
  
Solubility
Not Available
  
insoluble
  
Durability
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Specific Gravity
1.98-2.50
  
2.40
  
Fracture
Conchoidal, Conchoidal, Gemstones of the world (2001)
  
Subconchoidal, ConchoidalWalter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references, Brittle, Conchoidal
  
Cleavage
Not Available
  
Perfect on {001}, poor on {201} with 38.5° angle between the two
  
Mohs Hardness
5.5-6.5
  
6-6.5
  
Chemical Composition
SiO 2 · nH 2OWalter Schumann , Gemstones of the world (2001)
  
LiAlSi 4O 10Michael OâDonoghue , Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) More from other references
  
White Opal and Petalite Chemical Formula
While comparing White Opal and Petalite physical properties, the important data you should know is its chemical composition. Since chemical formula defines the molecular structure of the crystal, most of the physical properties like color, tenacity, solubility are governed by White Opal and Petalite chemical formula.
- Chemical formula of White Opal- SiO 2 · nH 2OWalter Schumann , Gemstones of the world (2001)
- Chemical formula of Petalite- LiAlSi 4O 10Michael OâDonoghue , Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) More from other references
White Opal and Petalite Specific Gravity
Another important criteria for qualitative analysis of gemstones is White Opal and Petalite Specific gravity. Specific gravity is the relative density of a gemstone compared with respect to density of water. Gemologists use White Opal and Petalite Optical Properties during the identification of gemstone. Specific gravity of White Opal is 2.40 whereas that of Petalite is 2.40.