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Benitoite
Benitoite

Herderite
Herderite



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Benitoite
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Herderite

Benitoite and Herderite Optical Properties

Optical Properties

Luster

Vitreous
Vitreous

Pleochroism

O = colorless; E = purple
-

Dispersion

0.040.01
0.005 1
👆🏻

Transparency

Transparent
Transparent

Refractive Index

1.757-1.8041.587-1.642
1 3.25
👆🏻

Optic Character

-
Biaxial/+

Crystal System

Hexagonal
monoclinic

Birefringence

0.0470.028-0.032
0 0.296
👆🏻

Clarity

Transparent
Transparent

Benitoite and Herderite Optic Character

Benitoite and Herderite optical properties play a significant role while distinguishing these gemstones from each other. These properties are influenced by the Benitoite and Herderite 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 Benitoite and Herderite 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. Herderite has Biaxial/+ character.

Benitoite and Herderite Transparency

Similar to their colors, Benitoite and Herderite 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, Benitoite is Transparent while Benitoite is Transparent in appearance.