Sapphire and Precious Opal Optical Properties

Sapphire

Precious Opal

Add ⊕

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

Not Available

1.8 Birefringence

0.008-0.009Not Available

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

Sapphire and Precious Opal Optic Character

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

Compare Birthstones » More

Sapphire Vs Opal

Sapphire Vs Ruby

Sapphire Vs Emerald

» More

More Compare Birthstones

Sapphire and Precious Opal Transparency

Similar to their colors, Sapphire and Precious 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.