Augite and Steatite Optical Properties

Augite

Steatite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous, Resinous

Not Available

1.2 Pleochroism

Pale green

Not Available

1.3 Dispersion

NANA

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent

Gemmological Tables (2004)

1.5 Refractive Index

1.671-1.7741.539-1.596

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Monoclinic Prismatic H-M Symbol (2/m) Space Group: C 2/c

Not Available

1.8 Birefringence

Not Available0.046-0.050

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

OpaqueUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda

Augite and Steatite Optic Character

Augite and Steatite optical properties play a significant role while distinguishing these gemstones from each other. These properties are influenced by the Augite and Steatite 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 Augite and Steatite 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.

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Augite and Steatite Transparency

Similar to their colors, Augite and Steatite 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, Augite is Translucent and Transparent while Augite is Translucent and Transparent in appearance.