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Steatite
Steatite

Forsterite
Forsterite



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Steatite
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Forsterite

Steatite and Forsterite Optical Properties

Optical Properties

Luster

-
Vitreous

Pleochroism

-
colorless.

Dispersion

0.010.02
0.005 1
👆🏻

Transparency

-
Transparent

Refractive Index

1.539-1.5961.635-1.671
1 3.25
👆🏻

Optic Character

-
-

Crystal System

-
Orthorhombic

Birefringence

0.046-0.0500.033-0.042
0 0.296
👆🏻

Clarity

OpaqueUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda
Transparent

Steatite and Forsterite Optic Character

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

Steatite and Forsterite Transparency

Similar to their colors, Steatite and Forsterite 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 while Steatite is in appearance.