Aquamarine and Petalite Optical Properties

Aquamarine

Petalite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous

Vitreous, Pearly

1.2 Pleochroism

Not Available

AbsentWalter Schumann

1.3 Dispersion

0.010.01

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to translucent

Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references

1.5 Refractive Index

1.570-1.5921.502-1.523

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Hexagonal

monoclinic

1.8 Birefringence

0.005-0.0090.012-0.016

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent to translucent

TransparentUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda

Aquamarine and Petalite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Aquamarine and Petalite 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.