Sodalite and Steatite Optical Properties

Sodalite

Steatite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Greasy

Not Available

1.2 Pleochroism

AbsentWalter Schumann

Not Available

1.3 Dispersion

0.02NA

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Opaque

Gemmological Tables (2004)

1.5 Refractive Index

1.478-1.4881.539-1.596

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

cubic

Not Available

1.8 Birefringence

Not Available0.046-0.050

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

OpaqueUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda

Sodalite and Steatite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Sodalite 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, Sodalite is Opaque, Translucent and Transparent while Sodalite is Opaque, Translucent and Transparent in appearance.