Fluorite and Covellite Optical Properties

Fluorite

Covellite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous

Resinous

1.2 Pleochroism

AbsentWalter Schumann

Marked

1.3 Dispersion

0.01NA

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to translucent

OpaqueAnthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001) More from other references

1.5 Refractive Index

1.432-1.4361.45-2.62

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

cubic

Hexagonal

1.8 Birefringence

Not AvailableNot Available

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

OpaqueAnthony et al

Fluorite and Covellite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Fluorite and Covellite 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.