Steatite and Antigorite Physical Properties
Tenacity
Not Available
Not Available
Solubility
Not Available
Not Available
Durability
Not Available
Not Available
Specific Gravity
2.20-2.80
2.58-2.80
Fracture
Not Available
Conchoidal, Brittle, Metallic, Conchoidal, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)
Cleavage
Not Available
{001} Good
Mohs Hardness
Not Available
5-5.5
Chemical Composition
Mg 3Si 4O 10(OH) 2Gemdat.org , Management Team (2012)
(Mg,Fe2+ ) 3Si 2O 5(OH) 4Anthony et al , Handbook of mineralogy (2001)
Steatite and Antigorite Chemical Formula
While comparing Steatite and Antigorite physical properties, the important data you should know is its chemical composition. Since chemical formula defines the molecular structure of the crystal, most of the physical properties like color, tenacity, solubility are governed by Steatite and Antigorite chemical formula.
- Chemical formula of Steatite- Mg 3Si 4O 10(OH) 2Gemdat.org , Management Team (2012)
- Chemical formula of Antigorite- (Mg,Fe2+ ) 3Si 2O 5(OH) 4Anthony et al , Handbook of mineralogy (2001)
Steatite and Antigorite Specific Gravity
Another important criteria for qualitative analysis of gemstones is Steatite and Antigorite Specific gravity. Specific gravity is the relative density of a gemstone compared with respect to density of water. Gemologists use Steatite and Antigorite Optical Properties during the identification of gemstone. Specific gravity of Steatite is 2.58-2.80 whereas that of Antigorite is 2.58-2.80.