The practice of creating gem-infused water, often called an elixir, has gained popularity among those seeking wellness benefits from stones. Opalite, with its distinctive opalescence, is a common choice, leading many to question its safety when submerged in drinking water. Assessing the safety of direct water contact requires understanding the material’s composition, its chemical behavior in a liquid environment, and the potential for external contaminants.
Understanding Opalite’s Synthetic Composition
Opalite is not a naturally occurring mineral but is a man-made glass engineered to mimic genuine opal. It is primarily composed of silica glass. Its unique optical properties are achieved by incorporating various trace elements, such as metal oxides or magnesium, during manufacturing to create the characteristic internal glow. Unlike natural stones, Opalite’s synthetic nature means its composition is predictable and controlled, simplifying the safety assessment. It is fundamentally a multi-component silicate glass, which is the starting point for evaluating how the material will interact with drinking water over time.
Chemical Stability and Leaching Potential
The core material of Opalite is silica-based glass, which is highly inert and non-porous under normal conditions. When briefly exposed to neutral drinking water, the risk of the glass dissolving or releasing harmful substances is minimal. This chemical stability explains why glass is the standard material for food and beverage containers.
However, the metal oxides and additives in the glass formula mean it is not perfectly inert, especially during prolonged submersion. If exposed to slightly acidic water, an ion-exchange process can occur, causing alkali metal ions near the surface to leach into the water. While the concentration of leached ions is typically low, introducing non-food-grade components into drinking water presents a potential hazard.
Assessing External Treatments and Coatings
The primary safety concern with decorative items like Opalite is the finishing treatments applied after manufacturing, not the glass itself. Many stones and glass objects are polished, sealed, or coated to enhance their appearance or durability. These external additions can include waxes, oils, sealants, or polishing compounds that are not certified as food-grade.
When submerged, these non-food-safe coatings can degrade or slowly dissolve, introducing contaminants into the liquid. Unless a vendor explicitly guarantees that an Opalite piece is untreated or coated with a food-safe sealant, it is prudent to assume non-safe external agents are present. The risk from these external coatings is often greater than the risk from the core glass composition.
Safe Methods for Water Infusion
Individuals who wish to use Opalite or other stones to create infused water should employ the indirect method. This approach prevents any direct contact between the stone and the drinking water, eliminating all chemical and coating contamination risks.
To use this method, the Opalite is placed inside a sealed glass container, such as a small jar or test tube. This sealed container is then placed inside a larger vessel of drinking water. The water surrounds the container, allowing the perceived energetic transfer to occur without chemical leaching. This method ensures that only food-grade glass surfaces touch the water intended for consumption.