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Rhodolite and Benitoite Optical Properties


Benitoite and Rhodolite Optical Properties


Optical Properties

Luster
Greasy, Vitreous   
Vitreous   

Pleochroism
None   
O = colorless; E = purple   

Dispersion
None   
0.04   
11

Transparency
Gemmological Tables (2004)   
Transparent   

Refractive Index
1.760   
1.757-1.804   

Optic Character
Not Available   
Not Available   

Crystal System
cubic   
Hexagonal   

Birefringence
0.010-0.014   
0.047   

Clarity
TransparentUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda   
Transparent   

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Rhodolite and Benitoite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Rhodolite and Benitoite 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, Rhodolite is Gemmological Tables (2004) while Rhodolite is Gemmological Tables (2004) in appearance.

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Red Gemstones


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