Steatite
Steatite is a massive and often impure variety of Talc, often found in association with serpentine and chlorite schists. Steatite is also called a Soapstone because the material may feel soapy when touched.
Steatite is very soft because of the high talc content and it is easily cut with metal tools. Steatite is used for carved souvenirs and ornamental objects.
Steatite is very soft because of the high talc content and it is easily cut with metal tools. Steatite is used for carved souvenirs and ornamental objects.
| General Information | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A variety or type of: | Talc | |||||||||||||||||
| Other Names/Trade Names: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Chemical Formula |
| |||||||||||||||||
| Physical Properties of Steatite | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mohs Hardness | 1, Gemmological Tables (2004) | |||||||||||||||||
| Specific Gravity | 2.20 to 2.80, Gemmological Tables (2004) | |||||||||||||||||
| Cleavage Quality | Perfect, Gemmological Tables (2004) | |||||||||||||||||
| Optical Properties of Steatite | ||||||||||||||||||
| Refractive Index | 1.539 to 1.596, Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||
| Optical Character | Biaxial/-, Gemmological Tables (2004) | |||||||||||||||||
| Birefringence | 0.046 to 0.050, Gemmological Tables (2004) | |||||||||||||||||
| Colour | ||||||||||||||||||
| Colour (General) | White, yellowish, greenish, greenish-brown, reddish, Gemmological Tables (2004) | |||||||||||||||||
| Transparency | Opaque, Gemmological Tables (2004) | |||||||||||||||||
| Lustre | Greasy, Gemstones (2009) | |||||||||||||||||
| Crystallography of Steatite | ||||||||||||||||||
| Crystal System | Monoclinic, Gemmological Tables (2004) | |||||||||||||||||
| Habit | Massive, Gemstones (2009) | |||||||||||||||||
| Further Information | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mineral information: | Steatite information at mindat.org | |||||||||||||||||