Diopside and Zoisite Optical Properties

Diopside

Zoisite

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Optical Properties

Luster

Vitreous

Pleochroism

X = pale pink to red-violet; Y = nearly colorless to bright pink or deep blue; Z = pale yellow to yellow-green

Dispersion

0.020.02

0.005 1

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Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent . Star Diopside is opaque .

Transparent, Translucent, Opaque . May be translucent in thin backlit sections.

Refractive Index

1.664-1.7301.685-1.707

1 3.25

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Optic Character

Crystal System

monoclinic

Orthorhombic

Birefringence

0.024-0.0300.006-0.018

0 0.296

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Clarity

Transparent

Diopside and Zoisite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Diopside and Zoisite 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 Transparent, Translucent and Transparent . Star Diopside is opaque . while Diopside is Transparent, Translucent and Transparent . Star Diopside is opaque . in appearance.