Sapphire and Nephrite optical properties play a significant role while distinguishing these gemstones from each other. These properties are influenced by the Sapphire and Nephrite 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 Nephrite 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.
Similar to their colors, Sapphire and Nephrite 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 Transparent, Translucent and Transparent to opaque while Sapphire is Transparent, Translucent and Transparent to opaque in appearance.