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Ruby and Steatite Optical Properties


Steatite and Ruby Optical Properties


Optical Properties

Luster
Vitreous, Adamantine, Vitreous, Adamantine   
Not Available   

Pleochroism
Strong: purplish-red   
Not Available   

Dispersion
0.02   
21
Not Available   

Transparency
Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to opaque   
Gemmological Tables (2004)   

Refractive Index
1.762-1.778   
1.539-1.596   

Optic Character
Not Available   
Not Available   

Crystal System
Trigonal   
Not Available   

Birefringence
0.008   
0.046-0.050   

Clarity
Transparent   
OpaqueUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda   

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Ruby and Steatite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Ruby 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, Ruby is Translucent, Transparent and Transparent to opaque while Ruby is Translucent, Transparent and Transparent to opaque in appearance.

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