Charoite and Petalite Optical Properties
Luster
Pearly, Fibrous, Chatoyant
Vitreous, Pearly
Pleochroism
NilArthur Thomas
AbsentWalter Schumann
Transparency
Translucent
Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references
Refractive Index
1.545-1.560
1.502-1.523
Optic Character
Not Available
Not Available
Crystal System
Triclinic
monoclinic
Birefringence
0.009
0.012-0.016
Clarity
Translucent
TransparentUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda
Charoite and Petalite Optic Character
Charoite and Petalite optical properties play a significant role while distinguishing these gemstones from each other. These properties are influenced by the Charoite and Petalite 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 Petalite 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 Petalite Transparency
Similar to their colors, Charoite and Petalite 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.