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Lepidolite and Apatite Optical Properties


Apatite and Lepidolite Optical Properties


Optical Properties

Luster
Vitreous, Pearly   
Vitreous   

Pleochroism
X = almost colorless; Y = Z = pink   
Blue stones – strong   

Dispersion
Not Available   
0.01   
27

Transparency
Transparent   
Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references   

Refractive Index
1.525-1.587   
1.628-1.651   

Optic Character
Not Available   
Not Available   

Crystal System
Triclinic   
Hexagonal   

Birefringence
0.0290-0.0380   
0.002-0.008   

Clarity
Transparent   
TransparentUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda   

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Lepidolite and Apatite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Lepidolite and Apatite 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, Lepidolite is Transparent while Lepidolite is Transparent in appearance.

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