Sapphire and Moonstone Optical Properties

Sapphire

Moonstone

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous, Adamantine, Vitreous, Adamantine

Pearly

1.2 Pleochroism

Strong

AbsentWalter Schumann

1.3 Dispersion

Albite Optical ..

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0.02

Rank: 21 (Overall)▶

None

Rank: N/A (Overall)▶

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Fluorite Optical Properties

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0.044 (Anglesite Opt..)

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1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to opaque

Transparent, Transparent to translucent

1.5 Refractive Index

1.762-1.788

1.518-1.527

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Trigonal

monoclinic

1.8 Birefringence

0.008-0.009

0.006-0.007

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

Sapphire and Moonstone Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Sapphire and Moonstone 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.