Aquamarine and Chalcedony Optical Properties

Aquamarine

Chalcedony

Add ⊕

1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous

1.2 Pleochroism

Not Available

AbsentWalter Schumann

1.3 Dispersion

0.01None

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to translucent

Translucent, Translucent to opaque

1.5 Refractive Index

1.570-1.5921.530-1.543

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Hexagonal

Trigonal

1.8 Birefringence

0.005-0.0090.003-0.009

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent to translucent

Translucent

Aquamarine and Chalcedony Optic Character

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

Compare Gems for Aquarius

Aquamarine Vs Moldavite

Aquamarine Vs Angelite

Aquamarine Vs Turquoise

Aquamarine and Chalcedony Transparency

Similar to their colors, Aquamarine and Chalcedony 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.