Opal and Serpentine Optical Properties

Opal

Serpentine

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous, Pearly

Vitreous, Greasy, Silky

1.2 Pleochroism

None

AbsentWalter Schumann

1.3 Dispersion

Albite Optical ..

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None

Rank: N/A (Overall)▶

None

Rank: N/A (Overall)▶

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Fluorite Optical Properties

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0.044 (Anglesite Opt..)

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1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to translucent

Translucent

1.5 Refractive Index

1.37-1.52

1.560-1.571

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Trigonal

monoclinic

1.8 Birefringence

Not Available

0.008-0.014

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

Translucent

Opal and Serpentine Optic Character

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

Compare Semi Precious Gemstones

Opal Vs Alexandrite

Opal Vs Amethyst

Opal Vs Lehsunia

Opal and Serpentine Transparency

Similar to their colors, Opal and Serpentine 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, Opal is Translucent, Transparent and Transparent to translucent while Opal is Translucent, Transparent and Transparent to translucent in appearance.

Semi Precious

Tanzanite

Tourmaline

Turquoise

Peridot

Lehsunia

Alexandrite