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Formula: C

Reflected/transmitted colour: opaque, transparent in very thin flakes, deep blue, polished section brownish to blackish

Pleochroism: strong

Optical isotropy/anisotropy: uniaxial, polished section very strong anisotropic, straw-yellow to dark brown or violet-gray. The anisotropy is strongest for yellow light. Basal sections appear isotropic

Optical sign: -

Refractive indices: w = 1.93-2.07 (red), ε not determined

Birefringence δ/bireflectance: extreme, polished section extremely strong and characteristic, O brownish, E much darker, almost completely black (in air bluish gray)

2V angle:

Dispersion:

Optical orientation:

Optical axial plane:

 

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