Diopside and Steatite Optical Properties

Diopside

Steatite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous

Not Available

1.2 Pleochroism

Not Available

1.3 Dispersion

0.02NA

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Not Available, Transparent . Star Diopside is opaque .

Gemmological Tables (2004)

1.5 Refractive Index

1.664-1.7301.539-1.596

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

monoclinic

Not Available

1.8 Birefringence

0.024-0.0300.046-0.050

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

OpaqueUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda

Diopside and Steatite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Diopside 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, Diopside is Not Available, Translucent, Transparent and Transparent . Star Diopside is opaque . while Diopside is Not Available, Translucent, Transparent and Transparent . Star Diopside is opaque . in appearance.