Garnet and Zoisite Optical Properties

Garnet

Zoisite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous, Adamantine, Vitreous, Adamantine

Vitreous

1.2 Pleochroism

None

X = pale pink to red-violet; Y = nearly colorless to bright pink or deep blue; Z = pale yellow to yellow-green

1.3 Dispersion

0.020.02

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Transparent to translucent

Transparent, Translucent, Opaque . May be translucent in thin backlit sections.

1.5 Refractive Index

1.730-1.8951.685-1.707

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Trigonal

Orthorhombic

1.8 Birefringence

Not Available0.006-0.018

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

Garnet and Zoisite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Garnet and Zoisite 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.