Ruby and Obsidian Optical Properties

Ruby

Obsidian

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Optical Properties

Luster

Vitreous, Adamantine

Vitreous

Pleochroism

Strong: purplish-red

Dispersion

0.020.01

0.005 1

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Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to opaque

Transparent, Translucent

Refractive Index

1.762-1.7781.450-1.550

1 3.25

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Optic Character

Crystal System

Trigonal

Birefringence

0.008-9999

0 0.296

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Clarity

Transparent

Ruby and Obsidian Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Ruby and Obsidian 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.