Quartz and Cassiterite Optical Properties

Quartz

Cassiterite

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Optical Properties

Luster

Vitreous

Adamantine, Greasy

Pleochroism

None

Pleochroic haloes have been observed. Dichroic in yellow

Dispersion

0.010.07

0.005 1

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Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to translucent

Transparent, Translucent

Refractive Index

1.544-1.5531.990-2.105

1 3.25

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Optic Character

Crystal System

Trigonal

tetragonal

Birefringence

0.0090.096-0.098

0 0.296

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Clarity

Opaque

Transparent

Quartz and Cassiterite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Quartz and Cassiterite 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, Quartz is Transparent, Translucent and Transparent to translucent while Quartz is Transparent, Translucent and Transparent to translucent in appearance.