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Nephrite and Tanzanite Optical Properties


Tanzanite and Nephrite Optical Properties


Optical Properties

Luster
Vitreous, Greasy   
Vitreous   

Pleochroism
None   
Present   

Dispersion
Not Available   
0.03   
14

Transparency
Translucent   
Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to translucent   

Refractive Index
1.600-1.627   
1.685-1.707   

Optic Character
Not Available   
Not Available   

Crystal System
monoclinic   
Orthorhombic   

Birefringence
0.027   
0.006-0.018   

Clarity
Translucent   
TransparentUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda   

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Nephrite and Tanzanite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Nephrite and Tanzanite 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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