Serpentine and Atacamite Optical Properties

Serpentine

Atacamite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous, Greasy, Silky

Adamantine, Vitreous

1.2 Pleochroism

AbsentWalter Schumann

X = pale green; Y = yellow-green; Z = grass-green

1.3 Dispersion

NoneNA

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Translucent

Not Available

1.5 Refractive Index

1.560-1.5711.831

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

monoclinic

Orthorhombic

1.8 Birefringence

0.008-0.0140.049

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Translucent

Not Available

Serpentine and Atacamite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Serpentine and Atacamite 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, Serpentine is Translucent while Serpentine is Translucent in appearance.