Malachite and Foitite Optical Properties

Malachite

Foitite

Add ⊕

1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Adamantine, Vitreous, Silky, Fibrous

Vitreous

1.2 Pleochroism

Not Available

Strong: pale lavender dark blueAnthony et al

1.3 Dispersion

NoneNA

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Opaque

TranslucentAnthony et al, Translucent

1.5 Refractive Index

1.655-1.909Not Available

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

monoclinic

Trigonal Ditrigonal Pyramidal H-M Symbol (3m) Space Group: R 3m

1.8 Birefringence

0.254Not Available

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references

TranslucentAnthony et al

Malachite and Foitite Optic Character

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

Compare Gems for Scorpio

Malachite Vs Alexandrite

Malachite Vs Rhodochrosite

Malachite Vs Unakite

Malachite and Foitite Transparency

Similar to their colors, Malachite and Foitite 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.