Fluorite and Steatite Optical Properties

Fluorite

Steatite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous

Not Available

1.2 Pleochroism

AbsentWalter Schumann

Not Available

1.3 Dispersion

0.01NA

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to translucent

Gemmological Tables (2004)

1.5 Refractive Index

1.432-1.4361.539-1.596

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

cubic

Not Available

1.8 Birefringence

Not Available0.046-0.050

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

OpaqueUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda

Fluorite and Steatite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Fluorite 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, Fluorite is Translucent, Transparent and Transparent to translucent while Fluorite is Translucent, Transparent and Transparent to translucent in appearance.