Apophyllite and Zoisite Optical Properties

Apophyllite

Zoisite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous, Pearly

Vitreous

1.2 Pleochroism

Dichroic (colorless)

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

1.3 Dispersion

NA0.02

0.007 1

1.7 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent

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

1.9 Refractive Index

1.530-1.5431.685-1.707

1 3.25

1.11 Optic Character

Uniaxial/-

Not Available

1.12 Crystal System

tetragonal

Orthorhombic

1.13 Birefringence

0.000-0.0030.006-0.018

0 0.296

2.5 Clarity

Transparent

Apophyllite and Zoisite Optic Character

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

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Apophyllite and Zoisite Transparency

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