Charoite and Zoisite Optical Properties
Luster
Pearly, Fibrous, Chatoyant
Vitreous
Pleochroism
NilArthur Thomas
X = pale pink to red-violet; Y = nearly colorless to bright pink or deep blue; Z = pale yellow to yellow-green
Transparency
Translucent
Transparent, Translucent, Opaque . May be translucent in thin backlit sections.
Refractive Index
1.545-1.560
1.685-1.707
Optic Character
Not Available
Not Available
Crystal System
Triclinic
Orthorhombic
Birefringence
0.009
0.006-0.018
Clarity
Translucent
Transparent
Charoite and Zoisite Optic Character
Charoite and Zoisite optical properties play a significant role while distinguishing these gemstones from each other. These properties are influenced by the Charoite and Zoisite 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 Zoisite 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 Zoisite Transparency
Similar to their colors, Charoite and Zoisite 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.