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Alexandrite
Alexandrite

Tanzanite
Tanzanite



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Alexandrite
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Tanzanite

Alexandrite and Tanzanite Optical Properties

1 Optical Properties
1.1 Luster
Vitreous
Vitreous
1.2 Pleochroism
Not Available
Present
1.3 Dispersion
NA0.03
Fluorite Optical Properties
0.007 1
1.4 Transparency
Transparent, Transparent to nearly opaque
Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to translucent
1.5 Refractive Index
1.739-1.7701.685-1.707
Agate Opal
1 3.25
1.6 Optic Character
Biaxial/+
Not Available
1.7 Crystal System
Orthorhombic
Orthorhombic
1.8 Birefringence
0.007-0.0100.006-0.018
Achroite
0 0.296
1.9 Clarity
Transparent
TransparentUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda

Alexandrite and Tanzanite Optic Character

Alexandrite and Tanzanite optical properties play a significant role while distinguishing these gemstones from each other. These properties are influenced by the Alexandrite and Tanzanite 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 Tanzanite 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 Tanzanite Transparency

Similar to their colors, Alexandrite and Tanzanite 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.