Enstatite and Sillimanite Optical Properties

Enstatite

Sillimanite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous, Pearly

Vitreous, Subadamantine, Silky

1.2 Pleochroism

Pale green to pale orange

Colourless to pale brown to yellow

1.3 Dispersion

NANA

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent

1.5 Refractive Index

1.650-1.6801.653-1.685

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Orthorhombic

1.8 Birefringence

0.009-0.0110.020-0.022

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

Enstatite and Sillimanite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Enstatite and Sillimanite 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, Enstatite is Translucent and Transparent while Enstatite is Translucent and Transparent in appearance.