Anhydrite and Zoisite Optical Properties

Anhydrite

Zoisite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Pearly, Greasy

Vitreous

1.2 Pleochroism

For violet varieties

X = pale pink to red-violet; Y = nearly colorless to bright pink or deep blue; Z = pale yellow to yellow-green

1.3 Dispersion

0.010.02

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent

Transparent, Translucent, Opaque . May be translucent in thin backlit sections.

1.5 Refractive Index

1.570-1.6141.685-1.707

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Orthorhombic

1.8 Birefringence

0.042-0.0440.006-0.018

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

Anhydrite and Zoisite Optic Character

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

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Anhydrite and Zoisite Transparency

Similar to their colors, Anhydrite and Zoisite 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.