Melanite and Catapleiite Optical Properties

Melanite

Catapleiite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Subadamantine, Vitreous

Vitreous

1.2 Pleochroism

Not Available

1.3 Dispersion

0.06NA

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Translucent

TransparentUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)

1.5 Refractive Index

1.855-1.8951.590-1.629

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Not Available

Monoclinic Prismatic H-M Symbol (2/m) Space Group: B2/b (pseudo-HEX)

1.8 Birefringence

Not Available0.039

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Translucent

TransparentUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda

Melanite and Catapleiite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Melanite and Catapleiite 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, Melanite is Translucent while Melanite is Translucent in appearance.