Cassiterite and Zoisite Optical Properties

Cassiterite

Zoisite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Adamantine, Greasy

Vitreous

1.2 Pleochroism

Pleochroic haloes have been observed. Dichroic in yellow

X = pale pink to red-violet; Y = nearly colorless to bright pink or deep blue; Z = pale yellow to yellow-green

1.3 Dispersion

0.070.02

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent

Transparent, Translucent, Opaque . May be translucent in thin backlit sections.

1.5 Refractive Index

1.990-2.1051.685-1.707

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

tetragonal

Orthorhombic

1.8 Birefringence

0.096-0.0980.006-0.018

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

Cassiterite and Zoisite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Cassiterite and Zoisite 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.