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Sillimanite
Sillimanite

Bastnasite
Bastnasite



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Sillimanite
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Bastnasite

Sillimanite and Bastnasite Optical Properties

Optical Properties

Luster

Vitreous, Subadamantine, Silky
Vitreous, Greasy, Pearly

Pleochroism

Colourless to pale brown to yellow
Faint

Dispersion

0.020.02
0.005 1
👆🏻

Transparency

Transparent, Translucent
-

Refractive Index

1.653-1.6851.717-1.722
1 3.25
👆🏻

Optic Character

-
-

Crystal System

Orthorhombic
Hexagonal

Birefringence

0.020-0.0220.100
0 0.296
👆🏻

Clarity

Transparent
TransparentUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda

Sillimanite and Bastnasite Optic Character

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

Sillimanite and Bastnasite Transparency

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