Charoite and Amethyst Optical Properties
Luster
Pearly, Chatoyant
Vitreous
Transparency
Translucent
Transparent, Transparent to translucent
Refractive Index
1.545-1.560
1.544-1.553
Crystal System
Triclinic
Trigonal
Birefringence
0.009
0.009
Clarity
Translucent
Transparent
Charoite and Amethyst Optic Character
Charoite and Amethyst optical properties play a significant role while distinguishing these gemstones from each other. These properties are influenced by the Charoite and Amethyst 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 Amethyst 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.
Charoite and Amethyst Transparency
Similar to their colors, Charoite and Amethyst 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.