noun
- Plural of hyalite; a colorless or white variety of opal that is transparent or translucent and glassy in appearance.
Usage: mineralogy; technical
Examples
- Hyalites are prized by mineral collectors for their glassy, gem-like clarity.
- The hyalites in the museum's collection display remarkable transparency under light.
- Geologists distinguish hyalites from other opals by their distinctive refractive properties.
- Some hyalites exhibit a faint opalescence when exposed to ultraviolet light.