hyalite

[ hahy-uh-lahyt ]

noun

1. a colorless variety of opal, sometimes transparent like glass, and sometimes whitish and translucent.

hyalite

/ ˈhaɪəˌlaɪt /

noun

1. a clear and colourless variety of opal in globular form

Word History and Origins

Origin of hyalite¹

First recorded in 1785–95; hyal- + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

Dedicated climbers converge in areas better known for ice, such as Cody, Wyo.; Ouray, Colo.; Hyalite Canyon near Bozeman, Mont.; Valdez, Alaska; and Canmore in the Canadian Rockies.

From Los Angeles Times

Still, she was shocked to discover, on a recent trip to Namibia’s mineral-rich Erongo region, that her purchase of 250 pounds of mixed crystals—including smoky quartzes, fluorites, and hyalite opals—for just over $10,000 was two years’ worth of wages for both the mine owner and his workers.

From National Geographic

Dedicated climbers converge in areas better known for ice, such as Cody, Wyo.; Ouray, Colo.; Hyalite Canyon near Bozeman, Mont.; Valdez, Alaska; and Canmore in the Canadian Rockies.

From Los Angeles Times

In Gallatin County, Montana, the nonprofit Friends of Hyalite raises money to pay for winter plowing costs into Hyalite Canyon, an international destination for ice climbing and ski touring that as recently as 2007 was completely inaccessible in winter.

From Seattle Times

One feature is a six-story “lantern wall” with images of the Hyalite Lake and waterfalls, he said.

From Washington Times