Garnet and Common Opal Optical Properties

Garnet

Common Opal

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous, Adamantine, Vitreous, Adamantine

Not Available

1.2 Pleochroism

None

AbsentWalter Schumann

1.3 Dispersion

0.02None

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Transparent to translucent

Translucent

1.5 Refractive Index

1.730-1.8951.37-1.52

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Trigonal

Not Available

1.8 Birefringence

Not AvailableNot Available

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

Translucent

Garnet and Common Opal Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Garnet and Common Opal 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, Garnet is Transparent and Transparent to translucent while Garnet is Transparent and Transparent to translucent in appearance.