Obsidian and Tortoiseshell optical properties play a significant role while distinguishing these gemstones from each other. These properties are influenced by the Obsidian and Tortoiseshell 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 Obsidian and Tortoiseshell 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.
Similar to their colors, Obsidian and Tortoiseshell 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, Obsidian is Translucent and Transparent while Obsidian is Translucent and Transparent in appearance.