Rock Crystal and Opal Optical Properties

Rock Crystal

Opal

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Optical Properties

Luster

Vitreous, Pearly

Pleochroism

None

Dispersion

0.010.01

0.005 1

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Transparency

TransparentWalter Schumann

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to translucent

Refractive Index

1.544-1.5531.37-1.52

1 3.25

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Optic Character

Crystal System

Trigonal

Birefringence

0.009-9999

0 0.296

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Clarity

TransparentWalter Schumann

Transparent

Rock Crystal and Opal Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Rock Crystal and Opal 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, Rock Crystal is TransparentWalter Schumann while Rock Crystal is TransparentWalter Schumann in appearance.