Steatite and Cacoxenite Optical Properties

Steatite

Cacoxenite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Not Available

Silky

1.2 Pleochroism

Not Available

visible: O = Pale yellow E = Canary yellow to yellow orange

1.3 Dispersion

NANA

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Gemmological Tables (2004)

Not Available

1.5 Refractive Index

1.539-1.5961.575-1.585

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Not Available

Hexagonal

1.8 Birefringence

0.046-0.050Not Available

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

OpaqueUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda

Not Available

Steatite and Cacoxenite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Steatite and Cacoxenite 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, Steatite is Gemmological Tables (2004) while Steatite is Gemmological Tables (2004) in appearance.