Cordierite Iolite and Afghanite optical properties play a significant role while distinguishing these gemstones from each other. These properties are influenced by the Cordierite Iolite and Afghanite 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 Cordierite Iolite and Afghanite 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. Cordierite Iolite has Biaxial/+ character.
Similar to their colors, Cordierite Iolite and Afghanite 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, Cordierite Iolite is Transparent while Cordierite Iolite is Transparent in appearance.