Sillimanite and Bowenite Optical Properties

Sillimanite

Bowenite

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Optical Properties

Luster

Vitreous, Subadamantine, Silky

Waxy, Silky, Resinous, Greasy

Pleochroism

Colourless to pale brown to yellow

Dispersion

0.020.01

0.005 1

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Transparency

Transparent, Translucent

TranslucentHerve Nicolas Lazzarelli

Refractive Index

1.653-1.6851.530-1.575

1 3.25

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Optic Character

Crystal System

Orthorhombic

Birefringence

0.020-0.022-9999

0 0.296

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Clarity

Transparent

TranslucentHerve Nicolas Lazzarelli

Sillimanite and Bowenite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Sillimanite and Bowenite 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, Sillimanite is Transparent and Translucent while Sillimanite is Transparent and Translucent in appearance.