Cassiterite and Omphacite Optical Properties

Cassiterite

Omphacite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Adamantine, Greasy

Vitreous

1.2 Pleochroism

Pleochroic haloes have been observed. Dichroic in yellow

Weak: colorless -- very pale green -- very pale green

1.3 Dispersion

0.07NA

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent

TranslucentAnthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)

1.5 Refractive Index

1.990-2.1051.662-1.723

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

tetragonal

Not Available

1.8 Birefringence

0.096-0.098Not Available

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

TranslucentAnthony et al

Cassiterite and Omphacite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Cassiterite and Omphacite 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, Cassiterite is Translucent and Transparent while Cassiterite is Translucent and Transparent in appearance.