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Sapphire and Axinite Optical Properties


Axinite and Sapphire Optical Properties


Optical Properties

Luster
Vitreous, Adamantine, Vitreous, Adamantine   
Vitreous   

Pleochroism
Strong   
Strong   

Dispersion
0.02   
21
0.02   
21

Transparency
Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to opaque   
Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references   

Refractive Index
1.762-1.788   
1.656-1.704   

Optic Character
Not Available   
Biaxial/+   

Crystal System
Trigonal   
Triclinic   

Birefringence
0.008-0.009   
0.009-0.012   

Clarity
Transparent   
TransparentUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda   

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Sapphire and Axinite Optic Character

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

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Sapphire and Axinite Transparency

Similar to their colors, Sapphire and Axinite 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.

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