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Bastnasite
Bastnasite

Alexandrite
Alexandrite



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Bastnasite
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Alexandrite

Bastnasite and Alexandrite Optical Properties

Optical Properties

Luster

Vitreous, Greasy, Pearly
Vitreous

Pleochroism

Faint
-

Dispersion

0.020.02
0.005 1
👆🏻

Transparency

-
Transparent, Transparent to nearly opaque

Refractive Index

1.717-1.7221.739-1.770
1 3.25
👆🏻

Optic Character

-
Biaxial/+

Crystal System

Hexagonal
Orthorhombic

Birefringence

0.1000.007-0.010
0 0.296
👆🏻

Clarity

TransparentUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda
Transparent

Bastnasite and Alexandrite Optic Character

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

Bastnasite and Alexandrite Transparency

Similar to their colors, Bastnasite 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, Bastnasite is while Bastnasite is in appearance.