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Cassiterite
Cassiterite

Bastnasite
Bastnasite



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Cassiterite
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Bastnasite

Cassiterite and Bastnasite Optical Properties

Optical Properties

Luster

Adamantine, Greasy
Vitreous, Greasy, Pearly

Pleochroism

Pleochroic haloes have been observed. Dichroic in yellow
Faint

Dispersion

0.070.02
0.005 1
👆🏻

Transparency

Transparent, Translucent
-

Refractive Index

1.990-2.1051.717-1.722
1 3.25
👆🏻

Optic Character

-
-

Crystal System

tetragonal
Hexagonal

Birefringence

0.096-0.0980.100
0 0.296
👆🏻

Clarity

Transparent
TransparentUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda

Cassiterite and Bastnasite Optic Character

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

Cassiterite and Bastnasite Transparency

Similar to their colors, Cassiterite and Bastnasite 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, Cassiterite is Transparent and Translucent while Cassiterite is Transparent and Translucent in appearance.