Bertrandite and Malachite Optical Properties

Bertrandite

Malachite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous

Adamantine, Vitreous, Silky, Fibrous

1.2 Pleochroism

none.

Not Available

1.3 Dispersion

NANone

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

TransparentAnthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)

Opaque

1.5 Refractive Index

1.583-1.6141.655-1.909

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Orthorhombic Pyramidal H-M Symbol (mm2) Space Group: Ccm21

monoclinic

1.8 Birefringence

Not Available0.254

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

TransparentAnthony et al

Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references

Bertrandite and Malachite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Bertrandite 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, Bertrandite is Handbook of mineralogy (2001) and TransparentAnthony et al while Bertrandite is Handbook of mineralogy (2001) and TransparentAnthony et al in appearance.