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Nephrite
Nephrite

Atacamite
Atacamite



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Nephrite
X
Atacamite

Nephrite and Atacamite Optical Properties

Optical Properties

Luster

Vitreous, Greasy
Adamantine, Vitreous

Pleochroism

None
X = pale green; Y = yellow-green; Z = grass-green

Dispersion

0.010.03
0.005 1
👆🏻

Transparency

Translucent
-

Refractive Index

1.600-1.6271.831
1 3.25
👆🏻

Optic Character

-
-

Crystal System

monoclinic
Orthorhombic

Birefringence

0.0270.049
0 0.296
👆🏻

Clarity

Translucent
-

Nephrite and Atacamite Optic Character

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

Nephrite and Atacamite Transparency

Similar to their colors, Nephrite and Atacamite 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, Nephrite is Translucent while Nephrite is Translucent in appearance.