Emerald and Atacamite Optical Properties

Emerald

Atacamite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous

Adamantine, Vitreous

1.2 Pleochroism

Strong dichroism: yellow green Lazzarelli

X = pale green; Y = yellow-green; Z = grass-green

1.3 Dispersion

0.01NA

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to translucent

Not Available

1.5 Refractive Index

1.565-1.6021.831

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Hexagonal

Orthorhombic

1.8 Birefringence

0.0040-0.00700.049

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Color grading system

Not Available

Emerald and Atacamite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Emerald and Atacamite 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, Emerald is Translucent, Transparent and Transparent to translucent while Emerald is Translucent, Transparent and Transparent to translucent in appearance.