Ruby and Turquoise Optical Properties

Ruby

Turquoise

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Optical Properties

Luster

Vitreous, Adamantine

Waxy

Pleochroism

Strong: purplish-red

Weak

Dispersion

0.020.03

0.005 1

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Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to opaque

Translucent, Opaque

Refractive Index

1.762-1.7781.610-1.650

1 3.25

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Optic Character

Crystal System

Trigonal

Triclinic

Birefringence

0.0080.040

0 0.296

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Clarity

Transparent

Translucent

Ruby and Turquoise Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Ruby and Turquoise 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.