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Malachite and Aragonite Optical Properties


Aragonite and Malachite Optical Properties


Optical Properties

Luster
Adamantine, Vitreous, Silky, Fibrous   
Vitreous, Resinous   

Pleochroism
Not Available   
StrongArthur Thomas   

Dispersion
None   
Not Available   

Transparency
Opaque   
Transparent, Translucent   

Refractive Index
1.655-1.909   
1.525-1.686   

Optic Character
Not Available   
Not Available   

Crystal System
monoclinic   
Orthorhombic   

Birefringence
0.254   
0.155   

Clarity
Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references   
Transparent   

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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.

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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.

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