Quartz and Onyx Optical Properties

Quartz

Onyx

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous

1.2 Pleochroism

None

Not Available

1.3 Dispersion

0.01NA

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to translucent

Translucent, Opaque, Translucent to opaque

1.5 Refractive Index

1.544-1.5531.530-1.543

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Trigonal

1.8 Birefringence

0.009Not Available

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Opaque

OpaqueHerve Nicolas Lazzarelli

Quartz and Onyx Optic Character

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

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