Steatite and Titanite Sphene Optical Properties

Steatite

Titanite Sphene

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Not Available

1.2 Pleochroism

Not Available

Green stones strong trichroism: typically colorless greenish yellow brownish to yellow;

1.3 Dispersion

NA0.05

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Gemmological Tables (2004)

Transparent, Translucent

1.5 Refractive Index

1.539-1.5961.843-2.110

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Not Available

1.8 Birefringence

0.046-0.0500.100-0.192

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

OpaqueUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda

Transparent

Steatite and Titanite Sphene Optic Character

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

Compare Green Gemstones

Steatite Vs Topaz

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Steatite and Titanite Sphene Transparency

Similar to their colors, Steatite and Titanite Sphene 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.