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Apophyllite
Apophyllite

Alexandrite
Alexandrite



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Apophyllite
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Alexandrite

Apophyllite and Alexandrite Optical Properties

Optical Properties

Luster

Vitreous, Pearly
Vitreous

Pleochroism

Dichroic (colorless)
-

Dispersion

0.010.02
0.005 1
👆🏻

Transparency

Transparent, Translucent
Transparent, Transparent to nearly opaque

Refractive Index

1.530-1.5431.739-1.770
1 3.25
👆🏻

Optic Character

Uniaxial/-
Biaxial/+

Crystal System

tetragonal
Orthorhombic

Birefringence

0.000-0.0030.007-0.010
0 0.296
👆🏻

Clarity

Transparent
Transparent

Apophyllite and Alexandrite Optic Character

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

Apophyllite and Alexandrite Transparency

Similar to their colors, Apophyllite and Alexandrite 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, Apophyllite is Transparent and Translucent while Apophyllite is Transparent and Translucent in appearance.