Quartz and Steatite Optical Properties

Quartz

Steatite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous

Not Available

1.2 Pleochroism

None

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

1.544-1.5531.539-1.596

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Trigonal

Not Available

1.8 Birefringence

0.0090.046-0.050

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Opaque

OpaqueUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda

Quartz and Steatite Optic Character

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

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