Sapphire and Covellite Optical Properties

Sapphire

Covellite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous, Adamantine, Vitreous, Adamantine

Resinous

1.2 Pleochroism

Strong

Marked

1.3 Dispersion

0.02NA

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to opaque

OpaqueAnthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001) More from other references

1.5 Refractive Index

1.762-1.7881.45-2.62

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Trigonal

Hexagonal

1.8 Birefringence

0.008-0.009Not Available

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

OpaqueAnthony et al

Sapphire and Covellite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Sapphire and Covellite 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.