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Sillimanite
Sillimanite

Nephrite
Nephrite



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Sillimanite
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Nephrite

Sillimanite and Nephrite Optical Properties

Optical Properties

Luster

Vitreous, Subadamantine, Silky
Vitreous, Greasy

Pleochroism

Colourless to pale brown to yellow
None

Dispersion

0.020.01
0.005 1
👆🏻

Transparency

Transparent, Translucent
Translucent

Refractive Index

1.653-1.6851.600-1.627
1 3.25
👆🏻

Optic Character

-
-

Crystal System

Orthorhombic
monoclinic

Birefringence

0.020-0.0220.027
0 0.296
👆🏻

Clarity

Transparent
Translucent

Sillimanite and Nephrite Optic Character

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

Sillimanite and Nephrite Transparency

Similar to their colors, Sillimanite and Nephrite 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.