Steatite and Fire Opal Optical Properties

Steatite

Fire Opal

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Not Available

1.2 Pleochroism

Not Available

AbsentWalter Schumann

1.3 Dispersion

NANone

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Gemmological Tables (2004)

Transparent, Translucent

1.5 Refractive Index

1.539-1.5961.370-1.470

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Not Available

Amorphous

1.8 Birefringence

0.046-0.050Not Available

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

OpaqueUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda

Transparent

Steatite and Fire Opal Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Steatite and Fire Opal 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.