Disclosed herein are opaque glass-ceramics comprising at least one nepheline crystal phase and comprising from about 30 mol % to about 65 mol % SiO2, from about 15 mol % to about 40 mol % Al2O3, from about 10 mol % to about 20 mol % (Na2O+K2O), and from about 1 mol % to about 10 mol % (ZnO+MgO). Also disclosed herein are opaque-glass ceramics comprising at least one nepheline crystal phase and at least one spinel-structure phase doped with at least one colorant chosen from transition metals and rare earth elements. Further disclosed herein are methods for making these opaque glass-ceramics.