Charoite and Herderite Optical Properties
Luster
Pearly, Fibrous, Chatoyant
Vitreous
Pleochroism
NilArthur Thomas
Not Available
Dispersion
Not Available
Not Available
Transparency
Translucent
Transparent
Refractive Index
1.545-1.560
1.587-1.642
Optic Character
Not Available
Biaxial/+
Crystal System
Triclinic
monoclinic
Birefringence
0.009
0.028-0.032
Clarity
Translucent
Transparent
Charoite and Herderite Optic Character
Charoite and Herderite optical properties play a significant role while distinguishing these gemstones from each other. These properties are influenced by the Charoite and Herderite 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 Herderite 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. Herderite has Biaxial/+ character.
Charoite and Herderite Transparency
Similar to their colors, Charoite and Herderite 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.