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Malachite
Malachite

Alexandrite
Alexandrite



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Malachite
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Alexandrite

Malachite and Alexandrite Optical Properties

1 Optical Properties
1.1 Luster
Adamantine, Vitreous, Silky, Fibrous
Vitreous
1.2 Pleochroism
Not Available
Not Available
1.3 Dispersion
NoneNA
Fluorite Optical Properties
0.007 1
1.4 Transparency
Opaque
Transparent, Transparent to nearly opaque
1.5 Refractive Index
1.655-1.9091.739-1.770
Agate Opal
1 3.25
1.6 Optic Character
Not Available
Biaxial/+
1.7 Crystal System
monoclinic
Orthorhombic
1.8 Birefringence
0.2540.007-0.010
Achroite
0 0.296
1.9 Clarity
Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references
Transparent

Malachite and Alexandrite Optic Character

Malachite and Alexandrite optical properties play a significant role while distinguishing these gemstones from each other. These properties are influenced by the Malachite and Alexandrite 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 Malachite and Alexandrite 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. Alexandrite has Biaxial/+ character.

Malachite and Alexandrite Transparency

Similar to their colors, Malachite and Alexandrite 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, Malachite is Opaque while Malachite is Opaque in appearance.