Emerald and Sphalerite Optical Properties

Emerald

Sphalerite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous

Adamantine

1.2 Pleochroism

Strong dichroism: yellow green Lazzarelli

AbsentWalter Schumann

1.3 Dispersion

0.010.16

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to translucent

Transparent, Translucent

1.5 Refractive Index

1.565-1.6022.368-2.371

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Hexagonal

Isometric

1.8 Birefringence

0.0040-0.0070Not Available

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Color grading system

Transparent

Emerald and Sphalerite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Emerald and Sphalerite 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.