Charoite and Apatite Optical Properties
Luster
Pearly, Fibrous, Chatoyant
Vitreous
Pleochroism
NilArthur Thomas
Blue stones – strong
Transparency
Translucent
Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references
Refractive Index
1.545-1.560
1.628-1.651
Optic Character
Not Available
Not Available
Crystal System
Triclinic
Hexagonal
Birefringence
0.009
0.002-0.008
Clarity
Translucent
TransparentUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda
Charoite and Apatite Optic Character
Charoite and Apatite optical properties play a significant role while distinguishing these gemstones from each other. These properties are influenced by the Charoite and Apatite 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 Apatite 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 Apatite Transparency
Similar to their colors, Charoite and Apatite 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.