Bixbite (Beryl)

 

Color: Red to strawberry-red

Moh’s Hardness: 7.5-8

Refractive Index: 1.57-1.60

Critical Angle: 39.87°

Specific Gravity: 2.65-2.75

Cleavage: None

Fracture: Conchoidal, tough

Dispersion: Medium (.014)

Heat Sensitivity: Moderate, depending on how clean the rough is

Dichroism: weak

Birefringence (double refraction): Weak (.006-.009)

Crystal Structure: Hexagonal

 

Treatments: None usually