×

Steatite
Steatite

Herderite
Herderite



ADD
Compare
X
Steatite
X
Herderite

Steatite and Herderite Optical Properties

Optical Properties

Luster

-
Vitreous

Pleochroism

-
-

Dispersion

0.010.01
0.005 1
👆🏻

Transparency

-
Transparent

Refractive Index

1.539-1.5961.587-1.642
1 3.25
👆🏻

Optic Character

-
Biaxial/+

Crystal System

-
monoclinic

Birefringence

0.046-0.0500.028-0.032
0 0.296
👆🏻

Clarity

OpaqueUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda
Transparent

Steatite and Herderite Optic Character

Steatite and Herderite optical properties play a significant role while distinguishing these gemstones from each other. These properties are influenced by the Steatite and Herderite 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 Herderite 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. Herderite has Biaxial/+ character.

Steatite and Herderite Transparency

Similar to their colors, Steatite and Herderite 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.