Omphacite and Tortoiseshell Optical Properties

Omphacite

Tortoiseshell

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous

Not Available

1.2 Pleochroism

Weak: colorless -- very pale green -- very pale green

Not Available

1.3 Dispersion

NANA

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

TranslucentAnthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)

Gemmological Tables (2004)

1.5 Refractive Index

1.662-1.7231.540-1.560

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Not Available

1.8 Birefringence

Not AvailableNot Available

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

TranslucentAnthony et al

OpaqueUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda

Omphacite and Tortoiseshell Optic Character

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

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Omphacite and Tortoiseshell Transparency

Similar to their colors, Omphacite 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, Omphacite is Handbook of mineralogy (2001) and TranslucentAnthony et al while Omphacite is Handbook of mineralogy (2001) and TranslucentAnthony et al in appearance.