Sapphire and Opal Optical Properties

Sapphire

Opal

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Optical Properties

Luster

Vitreous, Adamantine

Vitreous, Pearly

Pleochroism

Strong

None

Dispersion

0.020.01

0.005 1

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Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to opaque

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to translucent

Refractive Index

1.762-1.7881.37-1.52

1 3.25

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Optic Character

Crystal System

Trigonal

Birefringence

0.008-0.009-9999

0 0.296

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Clarity

Transparent

Sapphire and Opal Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Sapphire and 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 Transparent, Translucent and Transparent to opaque while Sapphire is Transparent, Translucent and Transparent to opaque in appearance.