Theoretical results recently obtained for polarizability of intersecting spherical particles have been compared with those for polarizability of intersecting cardioidal particles resembling the spherical shape. Calculations based on a modified Parseval Rule have been performed for a number of metals in a dielectric matrix in a quasistatic approximation. A large difference in the polarizabilities has been found in spite of a striking similarity in their shapes. An unexpected small value for both the real and the imaginary part of the polarizability of cardioidal shaped metal particles occurs at wavelengths where simple metal spheres absorb strongly. A Maxwell‐Garnett model has been used to compare the optical properties of composite materials containing the cardioidal and intersecting spherical particles of interest. It has been found that a composite containing cardioid shaped particles in a dielectric matrix can have an unusual response. Its absorption is very close to zero, while the refractive index is close to that of the fully dense host. ©1996 American Institute of Physics.