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Serpentine
Serpentine

Mellite
Mellite



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Serpentine
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Mellite

Serpentine and Mellite Optical Properties

Optical Properties

Luster

Vitreous, Greasy, Silky
Vitreous

Pleochroism

-
Weak: yellowish brown yellowAnthony et al

Dispersion

0.010.01
0.005 1
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Transparency

Translucent
-

Refractive Index

1.560-1.5711.509-1.541
1 3.25
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Optic Character

-
-

Crystal System

monoclinic
-

Birefringence

0.008-0.0140.030
0 0.296
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Clarity

Translucent
TransparentUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda

Serpentine and Mellite Optic Character

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

Serpentine and Mellite Transparency

Similar to their colors, Serpentine and Mellite 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, Serpentine is Translucent while Serpentine is Translucent in appearance.