Glass-ceramics and precursor glasses that are crystallizable to glass-ceramics are disclosed. The glass-ceramics of one or more embodiments include rutile, anatase, armalcolite or a combination thereof as the predominant crystalline phase. Such glasses and glass-ceramicsmay include compositions of, in mole %: SiO.sub.2 in the range from about 45 to about 75; Al.sub.2O.sub.3 in the range from about 4 to about 25; P.sub.2O.sub.5 in the range from about 0 to about 10; MgO in the range from about 0 to about 8; R.sub.2O in the range from about 0 to about 33; ZnO in the range from about 0 to about 8; ZrO.sub.2 in the range from about 0 to about 4; B.sub.2O.sub.3 in the range from about 0 to about 12, and one or more nucleating agents in the range from about 0.5 to about 12. In some glass-ceramic articles, the total crystalline phase includes up to 20% by weight of the glass-ceramic article.

A glass composition is provided wherein the composition exhibits wavelength independent scattering of visible light. The glass composition may comprise a spontaneously opalizing glass composition. The glass composition may comprise a fusion formable ceramic glass composition. The glass composition comprises crystals having a size greater than or equal to 1 m. A targeted total transmittance value of the glass composition is 50% to 80%. The glass composition is configured for use as a light diffuser for a backlit display panel. The glass composition is configured such that the light diffuser appears white in transmission. A light diffuser for a backlit display panel is provided. The light diffuser may comprise a laminate comprising a core layer comprising a clear glass, and a clad layer comprising a fusion formable ceramic glass composition. The laminate may comprise a double fusion laminate.

Opal glass compositions and glass articles comprising the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a glass composition includes 55 mol. % to 70 mol. % SiO.sub.2 and 9 mol. % to 15 mol. % Al.sub.2O.sub.3 as glass network formers. The glass composition also includes 10 mol. % to 15 mol. % alkali oxide M.sub.2O, wherein M is at least one of Na and K. The glass composition also includes 2 mol. % to 8 mol. % divalent oxide RO, wherein R is at least one of Zn, Ca, and Mg. As an opalizing agent, the glass composition may also include 8.5 mol. % to 16 mol. % F.sup.. The glass composition may also include 0 mol. % to 0.3 mol. % SnO.sub.2 as a fining agent and from about 0 mol. % to about 6 mol. % of colorant. The glass composition is free from As and compounds containing As.

An object of the present invention is to provide an opal glass through which uniform diffused light can be obtained. Specifically, the present invention provides a phase-separated opal glass comprising, in terms of molar concentration (%) on an oxide basis, 15 to 82% of SiO.sub.2, 12 to 75% of B.sub.2O.sub.3, 0 to 7% of Al.sub.2O.sub.3, and 4 to 20% of Li.sub.2O and/or 1 to 14% of Na.sub.2O, a dispersed phase present in the phase-separated opal glass having an average particle size of 0.5 to 2 m.