Steatite and Dumortierite Optical Properties

Steatite

Dumortierite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Not Available

Vitreous

1.2 Pleochroism

Not Available

Strong; X = deep blue or violet; Y = yellow to red-violet or nearly colorless; Z = colorless or very pale blue

1.3 Dispersion

NANone

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Gemmological Tables (2004)

Translucent, Translucent to opaque

1.5 Refractive Index

1.539-1.5961.669-1.723

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Not Available

Orthorhombic

1.8 Birefringence

0.046-0.0500.011-0.037

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

OpaqueUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda

Translucent

Steatite and Dumortierite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Steatite and Dumortierite 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.