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Steatite and Sillimanite Optical Properties


Sillimanite and Steatite Optical Properties


Optical Properties

Luster
Not Available   
Vitreous, Subadamantine, Silky   

Pleochroism
Not Available   
Colourless to pale brown to yellow   

Dispersion
Not Available   
Not Available   

Transparency
Gemmological Tables (2004)   
Transparent, Translucent   

Refractive Index
1.539-1.596   
1.653-1.685   

Optic Character
Not Available   
Not Available   

Crystal System
Not Available   
Orthorhombic   

Birefringence
0.046-0.050   
0.020-0.022   

Clarity
OpaqueUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda   
Transparent   

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Steatite and Sillimanite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Steatite and Sillimanite 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.

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