Optical Properties of Serpentine

Serpentine

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous, Greasy, Silky

1.2 Pleochroism

AbsentWalter Schumann

1.3 Dispersion

None

Rank: N/A (Overall) ▶

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Translucent

1.5 Refractive Index

1.560-1.571

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

monoclinic

1.8 Birefringence

0.008-0.014

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Translucent

Serpentine Luster

Optical Properties of Serpentine 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. Serpentine optical properties like luster, clarity, refractive index etc. are used to determine the non-destructive methods during gemstone identification and evaluation.

Serpentine luster is the quantity of light the crystal reflects when light is incident on it. Serpentine which is commonly found in White, Yellow color, is Translucent in nature. It possess Greasy, Silky and Vitreous luster.

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Serpentine Refractive Index

Optical properties of a Serpentine 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 Serpentine.

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 Serpentine refractive index is 1.560-1.571. Birefringence value for this gem is 0.008-0.014. So if you are searching for prominent Gems for Gemini, Serpentine gem is something not miss on, since it has been a favorite pick in the gem wearing community.