Malachite and Zoisite Optical Properties

Malachite

Zoisite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Adamantine, Vitreous, Silky, Fibrous

Vitreous

1.2 Pleochroism

Not Available

X = pale pink to red-violet; Y = nearly colorless to bright pink or deep blue; Z = pale yellow to yellow-green

1.3 Dispersion

None0.02

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Opaque

Transparent, Translucent, Opaque . May be translucent in thin backlit sections.

1.5 Refractive Index

1.655-1.9091.685-1.707

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

monoclinic

Orthorhombic

1.8 Birefringence

0.2540.006-0.018

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references

Transparent

Malachite and Zoisite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Malachite and Zoisite 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.