Aquamarine and Onyx Optical Properties

Aquamarine

Onyx

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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

Translucent, Opaque, 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

0.005-0.009Not Available

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent to translucent

OpaqueHerve Nicolas Lazzarelli

Aquamarine and Onyx Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Aquamarine and Onyx 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.