Charoite and Californite Optical Properties
Luster
Pearly, Fibrous, Chatoyant
Vitreous
Pleochroism
NilArthur Thomas
Weak; present colour lighter
Dispersion
Not Available
Not Available
Transparency
Translucent
TranslucentWalter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
Refractive Index
1.545-1.560
1.700-1.725
Optic Character
Not Available
Not Available
Crystal System
Triclinic
Not Available
Birefringence
0.009
0.001-0.012
Clarity
Translucent
TranslucentWalter Schumann
Charoite and Californite Optic Character
Charoite and Californite optical properties play a significant role while distinguishing these gemstones from each other. These properties are influenced by the Charoite and Californite 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 Californite 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 Californite Transparency
Similar to their colors, Charoite and Californite 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.