Charoite and Axinite Optical Properties
Luster
Pearly, Fibrous, Chatoyant
Vitreous
Pleochroism
NilArthur Thomas
Strong
Transparency
Translucent
Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references
Refractive Index
1.545-1.560
1.656-1.704
Optic Character
Not Available
Biaxial/+
Crystal System
Triclinic
Triclinic
Birefringence
0.009
0.009-0.012
Clarity
Translucent
TransparentUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda
Charoite and Axinite Optic Character
Charoite and Axinite optical properties play a significant role while distinguishing these gemstones from each other. These properties are influenced by the Charoite and Axinite 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 Axinite 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. Axinite has Biaxial/+ character.
Charoite and Axinite Transparency
Similar to their colors, Charoite and Axinite 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.