Zoisite and Steatite Optical Properties

Zoisite

Steatite

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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

0.020.01

0.005 1

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Transparency

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

Refractive Index

1.685-1.7071.539-1.596

1 3.25

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Optic Character

Crystal System

Orthorhombic

Birefringence

0.006-0.0180.046-0.050

0 0.296

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Clarity

Transparent

OpaqueUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda

Zoisite and Steatite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Zoisite and Steatite 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, Zoisite is Transparent, Translucent and Opaque . May be translucent in thin backlit sections. while Zoisite is Transparent, Translucent and Opaque . May be translucent in thin backlit sections. in appearance.