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Steatite
Steatite

Zoisite
Zoisite



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X
Steatite
X
Zoisite

Steatite and Zoisite Optical Properties

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Optical Properties

Luster

-
Vitreous

Pleochroism

-
X = pale pink to red-violet; Y = nearly colorless to bright pink or deep blue; Z = pale yellow to yellow-green

Dispersion

0.010.02
0.005 1
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Transparency

-
Transparent, Translucent, Opaque . May be translucent in thin backlit sections.

Refractive Index

1.539-1.5961.685-1.707
1 3.25
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Optic Character

-
-

Crystal System

-
Orthorhombic

Birefringence

0.046-0.0500.006-0.018
0 0.296
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Clarity

OpaqueUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda
Transparent

Steatite and Zoisite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Steatite and Zoisite 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.