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Anhydrite
Anhydrite

Mellite
Mellite



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Anhydrite
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Mellite

Anhydrite and Mellite Optical Properties

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Optical Properties

Luster

Pearly, Greasy
Vitreous

Pleochroism

For violet varieties
Weak: yellowish brown yellowAnthony et al

Dispersion

0.010.01
0.005 1
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Transparency

Transparent
-

Refractive Index

1.570-1.6141.509-1.541
1 3.25
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Optic Character

-
-

Crystal System

Orthorhombic
-

Birefringence

0.042-0.0440.030
0 0.296
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Clarity

Transparent
TransparentUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda

Anhydrite and Mellite Optic Character

Anhydrite and Mellite optical properties play a significant role while distinguishing these gemstones from each other. These properties are influenced by the Anhydrite and Mellite Physical Properties like crystallographic symmetry, pleochroism,etc. in the crystal. Some of the optical properties are refractive index, luster, optic character, pleochroism etc. Prominent among these is Anhydrite and Mellite optic character. You might have noticed your gemologist rotating the gemstone while testing it. Rotating a gemstone along its optic axis helps in determining its optic character.

Anhydrite and Mellite Transparency

Similar to their colors, Anhydrite and Mellite transparency can also be used as criteria for their primary identification. Although transparency cannot be the only criteria for gemstone identification, it can efficiently used in gemstone grading. Talking about their transparency, Anhydrite is Transparent while Anhydrite is Transparent in appearance.