×

Moonstone
Moonstone

Alexandrite
Alexandrite



ADD
Compare
X
Moonstone
X
Alexandrite

Moonstone and Alexandrite Optical Properties

Optical Properties

Luster

Pearly
Vitreous

Pleochroism

-
-

Dispersion

0.010.02
0.005 1
👆🏻

Transparency

Transparent, Transparent to translucent
Transparent, Transparent to nearly opaque

Refractive Index

1.518-1.5271.739-1.770
1 3.25
👆🏻

Optic Character

-
Biaxial/+

Crystal System

monoclinic
Orthorhombic

Birefringence

0.006-0.0070.007-0.010
0 0.296
👆🏻

Clarity

Transparent
Transparent

Moonstone and Alexandrite Optic Character

Moonstone and Alexandrite optical properties play a significant role while distinguishing these gemstones from each other. These properties are influenced by the Moonstone and Alexandrite 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 Moonstone and Alexandrite 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. Alexandrite has Biaxial/+ character.

Moonstone and Alexandrite Transparency

Similar to their colors, Moonstone and Alexandrite 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, Moonstone is Transparent and Transparent to translucent while Moonstone is Transparent and Transparent to translucent in appearance.