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Bertrandite and Malachite Optical Properties


Malachite and Bertrandite Optical Properties


Optical Properties

Luster
Vitreous   
Adamantine, Vitreous, Silky, Fibrous   

Pleochroism
none.   
Not Available   

Dispersion
Not Available   
None   

Transparency
TransparentAnthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)   
Opaque   

Refractive Index
1.583-1.614   
1.655-1.909   

Optic Character
Not Available   
Not Available   

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

Birefringence
Not Available   
0.254   

Clarity
TransparentAnthony et al   
Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references   

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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.

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