Diamond and Sapphire Optical Properties

Diamond

Sapphire

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Optical Properties

Luster

Adamantine

Vitreous, Adamantine

Pleochroism

None

Strong

Dispersion

0.040.02

0.005 1

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Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to opaque

Refractive Index

2.417-2.4191.762-1.788

1 3.25

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Optic Character

Crystal System

cubic

Trigonal

Birefringence

-99990.008-0.009

0 0.296

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Clarity

Transparent

Diamond and Sapphire Optic Character

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

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Diamond and Sapphire Transparency

Similar to their colors, Diamond and Sapphire 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, Diamond is Transparent, Translucent and Transparent to opaque while Diamond is Transparent, Translucent and Transparent to opaque in appearance.