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Sapphire and Petalite Optical Properties


Petalite and Sapphire Optical Properties


Optical Properties

Luster
Vitreous, Adamantine, Vitreous, Adamantine   
Vitreous, Pearly   

Pleochroism
Strong   
AbsentWalter Schumann   

Dispersion
0.02   
21
0.01   
25

Transparency
Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to opaque   
Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references   

Refractive Index
1.762-1.788   
1.502-1.523   

Optic Character
Not Available   
Not Available   

Crystal System
Trigonal   
monoclinic   

Birefringence
0.008-0.009   
0.012-0.016   

Clarity
Transparent   
TransparentUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda   

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Sapphire and Petalite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Sapphire and Petalite 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.

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