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Malachite
Malachite

Aragonite
Aragonite



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Malachite
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Aragonite

Malachite and Aragonite Optical Properties

Optical Properties

Luster

Adamantine, Vitreous, Silky
Vitreous, Resinous

Pleochroism

-
StrongArthur Thomas

Dispersion

0.040.17
0.005 1
👆🏻

Transparency

Opaque
Transparent, Translucent

Refractive Index

1.655-1.9091.525-1.686
1 3.25
👆🏻

Optic Character

-
-

Crystal System

monoclinic
Orthorhombic

Birefringence

0.2540.155
0 0.296
👆🏻

Clarity

-
Transparent

Malachite and Aragonite Optic Character

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

Malachite and Aragonite Transparency

Similar to their colors, Malachite and Aragonite 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.