Anhydrite and Proustite Optical Properties

Anhydrite

Proustite

Add ⊕

1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Pearly, Greasy

Adamantine

1.2 Pleochroism

For violet varieties

Moderate; cochineal-red to blood-red

1.3 Dispersion

0.01NA

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent

OpaqueUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004) Rarely transparentMore from other references

1.5 Refractive Index

1.570-1.6142.792-3.087

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Orthorhombic

Trigonal

1.8 Birefringence

0.042-0.0440.295-0.296

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

OpaqueUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda

Anhydrite and Proustite Optic Character

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

Compare Blue Gemstones

Anhydrite Vs Black Opal

Anhydrite Vs Azurmalachite

Anhydrite Vs Beryl

Anhydrite and Proustite Transparency

Similar to their colors, Anhydrite and Proustite 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, Anhydrite is Transparent while Anhydrite is Transparent in appearance.