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Spodumene and Steatite Optical Properties


Steatite and Spodumene Optical Properties


Optical Properties

Luster
Vitreous   
Not Available   

Pleochroism
Strong in kunzite: α-purple   
Not Available   

Dispersion
0.02   
22
Not Available   

Transparency
Transparent   
Gemmological Tables (2004)   

Refractive Index
1.657-1.681   
1.539-1.596   

Optic Character
Not Available   
Not Available   

Crystal System
monoclinic   
Not Available   

Birefringence
0.014-0.018   
0.046-0.050   

Clarity
Gems   
OpaqueUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda   

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Spodumene and Steatite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Spodumene 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, Spodumene is Transparent while Spodumene is Transparent in appearance.

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