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Benitoite and Tanzanite Optical Properties


Tanzanite and Benitoite Optical Properties


Optical Properties

Luster
Vitreous   
Vitreous   

Pleochroism
O = colorless; E = purple   
Present   

Dispersion
0.04   
11
0.03   
14

Transparency
Transparent   
Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to translucent   

Refractive Index
1.757-1.804   
1.685-1.707   

Optic Character
Not Available   
Not Available   

Crystal System
Hexagonal   
Orthorhombic   

Birefringence
0.047   
0.006-0.018   

Clarity
Transparent   
TransparentUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda   

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Benitoite and Tanzanite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Benitoite and Tanzanite 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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