Aquamarine and Ruby Optical Properties

Aquamarine

Ruby

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous

Vitreous, Adamantine, Vitreous, Adamantine

1.2 Pleochroism

Not Available

Strong: purplish-red

1.3 Dispersion

0.010.02

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to translucent

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to opaque

1.5 Refractive Index

1.570-1.5921.762-1.778

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Hexagonal

Trigonal

1.8 Birefringence

0.005-0.0090.008

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent to translucent

Transparent

Aquamarine and Ruby Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Aquamarine and Ruby 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.