Ruby and Nephrite Optical Properties

Ruby

Nephrite

Add ⊕

Optical Properties

Luster

Vitreous, Adamantine

Vitreous, Greasy

Pleochroism

Strong: purplish-red

None

Dispersion

0.020.01

0.005 1

👆🏻

Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to opaque

Translucent

Refractive Index

1.762-1.7781.600-1.627

1 3.25

👆🏻

Optic Character

Crystal System

Trigonal

monoclinic

Birefringence

0.0080.027

0 0.296

👆🏻

Clarity

Transparent

Translucent

Ruby and Nephrite Optic Character

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

Compare Precious Gemstones

Ruby Vs Fancy Diamond

Ruby Vs Taaffeite

Ruby Vs Cat s Eye

Ruby and Nephrite Transparency

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