Charoite and Thulite Optical Properties
Luster
Pearly, Chatoyant
Vitreous
Transparency
Translucent
Opaque, Translucent, Opaque . May be translucent in thin backlit sections.
Refractive Index
1.545-1.560
1.695
Crystal System
Triclinic
Orthorhombic
Birefringence
0.009
0.006-0.018
Clarity
Translucent
OpaqueHerve Nicolas Lazzarelli
Charoite and Thulite Optic Character
Charoite and Thulite optical properties play a significant role while distinguishing these gemstones from each other. These properties are influenced by the Charoite and Thulite 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 Thulite 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 Thulite Transparency
Similar to their colors, Charoite and Thulite 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.