Diopside and Sillimanite Optical Properties

Diopside

Sillimanite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous

Vitreous, Subadamantine, Silky

1.2 Pleochroism

Not Available

Colourless to pale brown to yellow

1.3 Dispersion

0.02NA

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

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

Transparent, Translucent

1.5 Refractive Index

1.664-1.7301.653-1.685

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

monoclinic

Orthorhombic

1.8 Birefringence

0.024-0.0300.020-0.022

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

Diopside and Sillimanite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Diopside and Sillimanite 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.