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Alexandrite
Alexandrite

Common Opal
Common Opal



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Alexandrite
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Common Opal

Alexandrite and Common Opal Optical Properties

Optical Properties

Luster

Vitreous
-

Pleochroism

-
-

Dispersion

0.020.01
0.005 1
👆🏻

Transparency

Transparent, Transparent to nearly opaque
Translucent

Refractive Index

1.739-1.7701.37-1.52
1 3.25
👆🏻

Optic Character

Biaxial/+
-

Crystal System

Orthorhombic
-

Birefringence

0.007-0.010-9999
0 0.296
👆🏻

Clarity

Transparent
Translucent

Alexandrite and Common Opal Optic Character

Alexandrite and Common Opal optical properties play a significant role while distinguishing these gemstones from each other. These properties are influenced by the Alexandrite and Common Opal 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 Alexandrite and Common Opal 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. Alexandrite has Biaxial/+ character.

Alexandrite and Common Opal Transparency

Similar to their colors, Alexandrite and Common Opal 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, Alexandrite is Transparent and Transparent to nearly opaque while Alexandrite is Transparent and Transparent to nearly opaque in appearance.