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Nephrite
Nephrite

Sapphire
Sapphire



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Nephrite
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Sapphire

Nephrite and Sapphire Optical Properties

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Optical Properties

Luster

Vitreous, Greasy
Vitreous, Adamantine

Pleochroism

None
Strong

Dispersion

0.010.02
0.005 1
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Transparency

Translucent
Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to opaque

Refractive Index

1.600-1.6271.762-1.788
1 3.25
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Optic Character

-
-

Crystal System

monoclinic
Trigonal

Birefringence

0.0270.008-0.009
0 0.296
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Clarity

Translucent
Transparent

Nephrite and Sapphire Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Nephrite and Sapphire 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.