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Steatite and Thulite Optical Properties


Thulite and Steatite Optical Properties


Optical Properties

Luster
Not Available   
Vitreous   

Pleochroism
Not Available   
Present   

Dispersion
Not Available   
Not Available   

Transparency
Gemmological Tables (2004)   
Opaque, Translucent, Opaque . May be translucent in thin backlit sections.   

Refractive Index
1.539-1.596   
1.695   

Optic Character
Not Available   
Not Available   

Crystal System
Not Available   
Orthorhombic   

Birefringence
0.046-0.050   
0.006-0.018   

Clarity
OpaqueUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda   
OpaqueHerve Nicolas Lazzarelli   

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Steatite and Thulite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Steatite and Thulite 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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