Aquamarine and Alexandrite Optical Properties

Aquamarine

Alexandrite

Add ⊕

1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous

1.2 Pleochroism

Not Available

1.3 Dispersion

0.01NA

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to translucent

Transparent, Transparent to nearly opaque

1.5 Refractive Index

1.570-1.5921.739-1.770

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

Biaxial/+

1.7 Crystal System

Hexagonal

Orthorhombic

1.8 Birefringence

0.005-0.0090.007-0.010

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent to translucent

Transparent

Aquamarine and Alexandrite Optic Character

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

Compare Gems for Aquarius

Aquamarine Vs Angelite

Aquamarine Vs Turquoise

Aquamarine Vs Moldavite

Aquamarine and Alexandrite Transparency

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