Charoite and Malachite Optical Properties
Luster
Pearly, Fibrous, Chatoyant
Adamantine, Vitreous, Silky, Fibrous
Pleochroism
NilArthur Thomas
Not Available
Dispersion
Not Available
None
Transparency
Translucent
Opaque
Refractive Index
1.545-1.560
1.655-1.909
Optic Character
Not Available
Not Available
Crystal System
Triclinic
monoclinic
Birefringence
0.009
0.254
Clarity
Translucent
Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references
Charoite and Malachite Optic Character
Charoite and Malachite optical properties play a significant role while distinguishing these gemstones from each other. These properties are influenced by the Charoite and Malachite 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 Malachite 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 Malachite Transparency
Similar to their colors, Charoite and Malachite 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.