Charoite and Variscite Optical Properties
Luster
Pearly, Fibrous, Chatoyant
Vitreous, Waxy
Pleochroism
NilArthur Thomas
MissingWalter Schumann
Dispersion
Not Available
Not Available
Transparency
Translucent
Translucent, Opaque . May be translucent when backlit on the edges.
Refractive Index
1.545-1.560
1.560-1.594
Optic Character
Not Available
Not Available
Crystal System
Triclinic
Orthorhombic
Birefringence
0.009
0.031
Clarity
Translucent
Translucent
Charoite and Variscite Optic Character
Charoite and Variscite optical properties play a significant role while distinguishing these gemstones from each other. These properties are influenced by the Charoite and Variscite 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 Variscite 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 Variscite Transparency
Similar to their colors, Charoite and Variscite 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.