Antigorite and Zoisite Optical Properties

Antigorite

Zoisite

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Optical Properties

Luster

Waxy, Silky, Resinous, Greasy

Vitreous

Pleochroism

pale greenish yellow

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

Dispersion

0.020.02

0.005 1

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Transparency

Translucent

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

Refractive Index

1.530-1.5751.685-1.707

1 3.25

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Optic Character

Crystal System

Monoclinic Domatic H-M Symbol (m) Space Group: Cm

Orthorhombic

Birefringence

-99990.006-0.018

0 0.296

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Clarity

Translucent

Transparent

Antigorite and Zoisite Optic Character

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

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Antigorite Vs Augite

Antigorite and Zoisite Transparency

Similar to their colors, Antigorite 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, Antigorite is Translucent while Antigorite is Translucent in appearance.