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Sillimanite
Sillimanite

Ettringite
Ettringite



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Sillimanite
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Ettringite

Sillimanite and Ettringite Optical Properties

Optical Properties

Luster

Vitreous, Subadamantine, Silky
Vitreous

Pleochroism

Colourless to pale brown to yellow
-

Dispersion

0.020.04
0.005 1
👆🏻

Transparency

Transparent, Translucent
Transparent, Translucent

Refractive Index

1.653-1.6851.470-1.491
1 3.25
👆🏻

Optic Character

-
-

Crystal System

Orthorhombic
Trigonal

Birefringence

0.020-0.0220.021
0 0.296
👆🏻

Clarity

Transparent
Transparent

Sillimanite and Ettringite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Sillimanite and Ettringite 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.