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Benitoite and Malachite Optical Properties


Malachite and Benitoite Optical Properties


Optical Properties

Luster
Vitreous   
Adamantine, Vitreous, Silky, Fibrous   

Pleochroism
O = colorless; E = purple   
Not Available   

Dispersion
0.04   
11
None   

Transparency
Transparent   
Opaque   

Refractive Index
1.757-1.804   
1.655-1.909   

Optic Character
Not Available   
Not Available   

Crystal System
Hexagonal   
monoclinic   

Birefringence
0.047   
0.254   

Clarity
Transparent   
Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references   

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Benitoite and Malachite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Benitoite and Malachite 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.

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