Sillimanite and Morganite Optical Properties

Sillimanite

Morganite

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Optical Properties

Luster

Vitreous, Subadamantine, Silky

Vitreous

Pleochroism

Colourless to pale brown to yellow

Distinct: pale pink bluish-pinkHerve Nicolas Lazzarelli

Dispersion

0.020.01

0.005 1

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Transparency

Transparent, Translucent

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to translucent

Refractive Index

1.653-1.6851.573-1.600

1 3.25

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Optic Character

Crystal System

Orthorhombic

Hexagonal

Birefringence

0.020-0.0220.005-0.009

0 0.296

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Clarity

Transparent

Transparent to translucent

Sillimanite and Morganite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Sillimanite and Morganite 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.