Charoite and Steatite Optical Properties
Luster
Pearly, Fibrous, Chatoyant
Not Available
Pleochroism
NilArthur Thomas
Not Available
Dispersion
Not Available
Not Available
Transparency
Translucent
Gemmological Tables (2004)
Refractive Index
1.545-1.560
1.539-1.596
Optic Character
Not Available
Not Available
Crystal System
Triclinic
Not Available
Birefringence
0.009
0.046-0.050
Clarity
Translucent
OpaqueUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda
Charoite and Steatite Optic Character
Charoite and Steatite optical properties play a significant role while distinguishing these gemstones from each other. These properties are influenced by the Charoite 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 Charoite 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.
Charoite and Steatite Transparency
Similar to their colors, Charoite 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, Charoite is Translucent while Charoite is Translucent in appearance.