Diopside and Alexandrite Optical Properties

Diopside

Alexandrite

Add ⊕

1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous

1.2 Pleochroism

Not Available

1.3 Dispersion

0.02NA

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Not Available, Transparent . Star Diopside is opaque .

Transparent, Transparent to nearly opaque

1.5 Refractive Index

1.664-1.7301.739-1.770

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

Biaxial/+

1.7 Crystal System

monoclinic

Orthorhombic

1.8 Birefringence

0.024-0.0300.007-0.010

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

Diopside and Alexandrite Optic Character

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

Compare Yellow Gemstones

Diopside Vs Fayalite

Diopside Vs Feldspar

Diopside Vs Ettringite

Diopside and Alexandrite Transparency

Similar to their colors, Diopside 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, Diopside is Not Available, Translucent, Transparent and Transparent . Star Diopside is opaque . while Diopside is Not Available, Translucent, Transparent and Transparent . Star Diopside is opaque . in appearance.