Charoite and Austinite Optical Properties
Luster
Pearly, Chatoyant
Subadamantine, Silky
Transparency
Translucent
-
Refractive Index
1.545-1.560
1.759
Crystal System
Triclinic
Orthorhombic
Birefringence
0.009
0.024
Charoite and Austinite Optic Character
Charoite and Austinite optical properties play a significant role while distinguishing these gemstones from each other. These properties are influenced by the Charoite and Austinite 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 Austinite 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 Austinite Transparency
Similar to their colors, Charoite and Austinite 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.