Emerald and Malachite Optical Properties

Emerald

Malachite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous

Adamantine, Vitreous, Silky, Fibrous

1.2 Pleochroism

Strong dichroism: yellow green Lazzarelli

Not Available

1.3 Dispersion

0.01None

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to translucent

Opaque

1.5 Refractive Index

1.565-1.6021.655-1.909

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Hexagonal

monoclinic

1.8 Birefringence

0.0040-0.00700.254

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Color grading system

Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references

Emerald and Malachite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Emerald and Malachite 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.