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Chrysotile
Chrysotile

Alexandrite
Alexandrite



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Chrysotile
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Alexandrite

Chrysotile and Alexandrite Optical Properties

Optical Properties

Luster

Silky
Vitreous

Pleochroism

-
-

Dispersion

0.020.02
0.005 1
👆🏻

Transparency

-
Transparent, Transparent to nearly opaque

Refractive Index

1.530-1.5751.739-1.770
1 3.25
👆🏻

Optic Character

-
Biaxial/+

Crystal System

Monoclinic : clinochrysotile (most common)
Orthorhombic

Birefringence

0.0010.007-0.010
0 0.296
👆🏻

Clarity

-
Transparent

Chrysotile and Alexandrite Optic Character

Chrysotile and Alexandrite optical properties play a significant role while distinguishing these gemstones from each other. These properties are influenced by the Chrysotile and Alexandrite 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 Chrysotile and Alexandrite 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. Alexandrite has Biaxial/+ character.

Chrysotile and Alexandrite Transparency

Similar to their colors, Chrysotile and Alexandrite 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, Chrysotile is while Chrysotile is in appearance.