Charoite and Alexandrite Optical Properties
Luster
Pearly, Fibrous, Chatoyant
Vitreous
Pleochroism
NilArthur Thomas
Not Available
Dispersion
Not Available
Not Available
Transparency
Translucent
Transparent, Transparent to nearly opaque
Refractive Index
1.545-1.560
1.739-1.770
Optic Character
Not Available
Biaxial/+
Crystal System
Triclinic
Orthorhombic
Birefringence
0.009
0.007-0.010
Clarity
Translucent
Transparent
Charoite and Alexandrite Optic Character
Charoite and Alexandrite optical properties play a significant role while distinguishing these gemstones from each other. These properties are influenced by the Charoite and Alexandrite 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 Charoite and Alexandrite 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. Alexandrite has Biaxial/+ character.
Charoite and Alexandrite Transparency
Similar to their colors, Charoite and Alexandrite 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, Charoite is Translucent while Charoite is Translucent in appearance.