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Serpentine and Tortoiseshell Optical Properties


Tortoiseshell and Serpentine Optical Properties


Optical Properties

Luster
Vitreous, Greasy, Silky   
Not Available   

Pleochroism
AbsentWalter Schumann   
Not Available   

Dispersion
None   
Not Available   

Transparency
Translucent   
Gemmological Tables (2004)   

Refractive Index
1.560-1.571   
1.540-1.560   

Optic Character
Not Available   
Not Available   

Crystal System
monoclinic   
Not Available   

Birefringence
0.008-0.014   
Not Available   

Clarity
Translucent   
OpaqueUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda   

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Serpentine and Tortoiseshell Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Serpentine and Tortoiseshell 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.

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