Serpentine and Zoisite Optical Properties

Serpentine

Zoisite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous, Greasy, Silky

Vitreous

1.2 Pleochroism

AbsentWalter Schumann

X = pale pink to red-violet; Y = nearly colorless to bright pink or deep blue; Z = pale yellow to yellow-green

1.3 Dispersion

None0.02

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Translucent

Transparent, Translucent, Opaque . May be translucent in thin backlit sections.

1.5 Refractive Index

1.560-1.5711.685-1.707

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

monoclinic

Orthorhombic

1.8 Birefringence

0.008-0.0140.006-0.018

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Translucent

Transparent

Serpentine and Zoisite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Serpentine and Zoisite 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.