Fluorite and Benitoite Optical Properties

Fluorite

Benitoite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous

1.2 Pleochroism

AbsentWalter Schumann

O = colorless; E = purple

1.3 Dispersion

0.010.04

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to translucent

Transparent

1.5 Refractive Index

1.432-1.4361.757-1.804

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

cubic

Hexagonal

1.8 Birefringence

Not Available0.047

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

Fluorite and Benitoite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Fluorite and Benitoite 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, Fluorite is Translucent, Transparent and Transparent to translucent while Fluorite is Translucent, Transparent and Transparent to translucent in appearance.