Boulder Opal and Onyx Optical Properties

Boulder Opal

Onyx

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Not Available

Vitreous

1.2 Pleochroism

AbsentWalter Schumann

Not Available

1.3 Dispersion

NoneNA

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent

Translucent, Opaque, Translucent to opaque

1.5 Refractive Index

1.370-1.4701.530-1.543

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Not Available

Trigonal

1.8 Birefringence

Not AvailableNot Available

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

OpaqueHerve Nicolas Lazzarelli

Boulder Opal and Onyx Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Boulder Opal and Onyx 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, Boulder Opal is Translucent and Transparent while Boulder Opal is Translucent and Transparent in appearance.