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Ruby and Zoisite Optical Properties


Zoisite and Ruby Optical Properties


Optical Properties

Luster
Vitreous, Adamantine, Vitreous, Adamantine   
Vitreous   

Pleochroism
Strong: purplish-red   
X = pale pink to red-violet; Y = nearly colorless to bright pink or deep blue; Z = pale yellow to yellow-green   

Dispersion
0.02   
21
0.02   
19

Transparency
Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to opaque   
Transparent, Translucent, Opaque . May be translucent in thin backlit sections.   

Refractive Index
1.762-1.778   
1.685-1.707   

Optic Character
Not Available   
Not Available   

Crystal System
Trigonal   
Orthorhombic   

Birefringence
0.008   
0.006-0.018   

Clarity
Transparent   
Transparent   

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Ruby and Zoisite Optic Character

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

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

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