Emerald and Atacamite Optical Properties

Emerald

Atacamite

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Optical Properties

Luster

Vitreous

Adamantine, Vitreous

Pleochroism

Strong dichroism: yellow green Lazzarelli

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

Dispersion

0.010.03

0.005 1

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Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to translucent

Refractive Index

1.565-1.6021.831

1 3.25

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Optic Character

Crystal System

Hexagonal

Orthorhombic

Birefringence

0.0040-0.00700.049

0 0.296

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Clarity

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 Transparent, Translucent and Transparent to translucent while Emerald is Transparent, Translucent and Transparent to translucent in appearance.