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Nephrite and Emerald Optical Properties


Emerald and Nephrite Optical Properties


Optical Properties

Luster
Vitreous, Greasy  
Vitreous  

Pleochroism
None  
Strong dichroism: yellow green Lazzarelli  

Dispersion
0.01  
99+
0.01  
99+

Transparency
Translucent  
Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to translucent  

Refractive Index
1.600-1.627  
1.565-1.602  

Optic Character
-  
-  

Crystal System
monoclinic  
Hexagonal  

Birefringence
0.027  
0.0040-0.0070  

Clarity
Translucent  
-  

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Nephrite and Emerald Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Nephrite and Emerald 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.

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