Charoite and Sunstone Optical Properties
Luster
Pearly, Fibrous, Chatoyant
Vitreous
Pleochroism
NilArthur Thomas
Weak or absentWalter Schumann
Dispersion
Not Available
None
Transparency
Translucent
Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to translucent
Refractive Index
1.545-1.560
1.53-1.55
Optic Character
Not Available
Not Available
Crystal System
Triclinic
Triclinic
Birefringence
0.009
0.007-0.010
Clarity
Translucent
Transparent to translucent
Charoite and Sunstone Optic Character
Charoite and Sunstone optical properties play a significant role while distinguishing these gemstones from each other. These properties are influenced by the Charoite and Sunstone 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 Sunstone 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 Sunstone Transparency
Similar to their colors, Charoite and Sunstone 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.