Home
Gemstones


Common Opal and Tourmaline Optical Properties


Tourmaline and Common Opal Optical Properties


Optical Properties

Luster
Not Available   
Vitreous   

Pleochroism
AbsentWalter Schumann   
typically moderate to strong   

Dispersion
None   
0.02   
22

Transparency
Translucent   
Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to opaque   

Refractive Index
1.37-1.52   
1.614-1.666   

Optic Character
Not Available   
Not Available   

Crystal System
Not Available   
Trigonal   

Birefringence
Not Available   
0.014-0.040   

Clarity
Translucent   
Transparent   

Benefits >>
<< Physical Properties

Common Opal and Tourmaline Optic Character

Common Opal and Tourmaline optical properties play a significant role while distinguishing these gemstones from each other. These properties are influenced by the Common Opal and Tourmaline 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 Common Opal and Tourmaline 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.

Compare Blue Gemstones

Common Opal and Tourmaline Transparency

Similar to their colors, Common Opal and Tourmaline 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, Common Opal is Translucent while Common Opal is Translucent in appearance.

Blue Gemstones

Blue Gemstones


Compare Blue Gemstones