Optical Properties of Precious Opal

Precious Opal

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Not Available

1.2 Pleochroism

AbsentWalter Schumann

1.3 Dispersion

None

Rank: N/A (Overall) ▶

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent

1.5 Refractive Index

1.370-1.470

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Not Available

1.8 Birefringence

Not Available

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

Precious Opal Luster

Optical Properties of Precious Opal are its behavioral responses towards light. While few optical properties can be identified with naked eyes, other require special instruments by the gemologists to identify them. Precious Opal optical properties like luster, clarity, refractive index etc. are used to determine the non-destructive methods during gemstone identification and evaluation.

Precious Opal luster is the quantity of light the crystal reflects when light is incident on it. Precious Opal which is commonly found in Yellow, Green, Blue color, is Translucent and Transparent in nature.

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Precious Opal Refractive Index

Optical properties of a Precious Opal crystal are responsive to the small changes in composition and strain within its crystalline structure. Absolute diligence is therefore necessary during cutting and polishing of the gemstone. All such optical properties are majorly influenced by Physical Properties of Precious Opal.

As we are well aware, refractive index is the phenomenon which is related to bending of light through a medium (crystal). It is used in qualitative analysis of gemstones by gemologists Besides, few gemstones exhibit property of dual refractive indices. This dual nature is known as Birefringence. The value of Precious Opal refractive index is 1.370-1.470. So if you are searching for prominent Blue Gemstones, Precious Opal gem is something not miss on, since it has been a favorite pick in the gem wearing community.

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