Ruby and Almandine Optical Properties

Ruby

Almandine

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous, Adamantine, Vitreous, Adamantine

Greasy, Vitreous

1.2 Pleochroism

Strong: purplish-red

None

1.3 Dispersion

0.020.03

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to opaque

Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references

1.5 Refractive Index

1.762-1.7781.770-1.820

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Trigonal

cubic

1.8 Birefringence

0.008Not Available

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

TransparentUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda

Ruby and Almandine Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Ruby and Almandine 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, Ruby is Translucent, Transparent and Transparent to opaque while Ruby is Translucent, Transparent and Transparent to opaque in appearance.