Sapphire and Apophyllite Optical Properties

Sapphire

Apophyllite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous, Adamantine, Vitreous, Adamantine

Vitreous, Pearly

1.2 Pleochroism

Strong

Dichroic (colorless)

1.3 Dispersion

0.02NA

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to opaque

Transparent, Translucent

1.5 Refractive Index

1.762-1.7881.530-1.543

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

Uniaxial/-

1.7 Crystal System

Trigonal

tetragonal

1.8 Birefringence

0.008-0.0090.000-0.003

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

Sapphire and Apophyllite Optic Character

Sapphire and Apophyllite optical properties play a significant role while distinguishing these gemstones from each other. These properties are influenced by the Sapphire and Apophyllite 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 Sapphire and Apophyllite 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. Apophyllite has Uniaxial/- character.

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Sapphire and Apophyllite Transparency

Similar to their colors, Sapphire and Apophyllite 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, Sapphire is Translucent, Transparent and Transparent to opaque while Sapphire is Translucent, Transparent and Transparent to opaque in appearance.