Sapphire and Fire Opal Optical Properties

Sapphire

Fire Opal

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous, Adamantine, Vitreous, Adamantine

Not Available

1.2 Pleochroism

Strong

AbsentWalter Schumann

1.3 Dispersion

0.02None

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to opaque

Transparent, Translucent

1.5 Refractive Index

1.762-1.7881.370-1.470

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Trigonal

Amorphous

1.8 Birefringence

0.008-0.009Not Available

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

Sapphire and Fire Opal Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Sapphire and Fire Opal 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.