Charoite and Opal Optical Properties
Luster
Pearly, Chatoyant
Vitreous, Pearly
Transparency
Translucent
Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to translucent
Refractive Index
1.545-1.560
1.37-1.52
Crystal System
Triclinic
Trigonal
Birefringence
0.009
-9999
Clarity
Translucent
Transparent
Charoite and Opal Optic Character
Charoite and Opal optical properties play a significant role while distinguishing these gemstones from each other. These properties are influenced by the Charoite and Opal 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 Opal 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 Opal Transparency
Similar to their colors, Charoite and Opal 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.