Serpentine and Sillimanite Optical Properties

Serpentine

Sillimanite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous, Greasy, Silky

Vitreous, Subadamantine, Silky

1.2 Pleochroism

AbsentWalter Schumann

Colourless to pale brown to yellow

1.3 Dispersion

NoneNA

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Translucent

Transparent, Translucent

1.5 Refractive Index

1.560-1.5711.653-1.685

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

monoclinic

Orthorhombic

1.8 Birefringence

0.008-0.0140.020-0.022

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Translucent

Transparent

Serpentine and Sillimanite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Serpentine and Sillimanite 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.