Ruby and Onyx Optical Properties

Ruby

Onyx

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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

Translucent, Opaque, Translucent to opaque

Refractive Index

1.762-1.7781.530-1.543

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

OpaqueHerve Nicolas Lazzarelli

Ruby and Onyx Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Ruby and Onyx 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.