Ruby and Spinel Optical Properties

Ruby

Spinel

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Optical Properties

Luster

Vitreous, Adamantine

Vitreous

Pleochroism

Strong: purplish-red

Absent

Dispersion

0.020.02

0.005 1

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Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to opaque

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to translucent

Refractive Index

1.762-1.7781.73

1 3.25

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Optic Character

Crystal System

Trigonal

Isometric

Birefringence

0.008-9999

0 0.296

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Clarity

Transparent

TransparentUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda

Ruby and Spinel Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Ruby and Spinel 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.