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Smithsonite
Smithsonite

Californite
Californite



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Smithsonite
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Californite

Smithsonite and Californite Optical Properties

Optical Properties

Luster

Vitreous, Pearly
Vitreous

Pleochroism

-
Weak; present colour lighter and darker

Dispersion

0.010.01
0.005 1
👆🏻

Transparency

Translucent
TranslucentWalter Schumann

Refractive Index

1.620-1.8501.700-1.725
1 3.25
👆🏻

Optic Character

-
-

Crystal System

Trigonal
-

Birefringence

0.223-0.2270.001-0.012
0 0.296
👆🏻

Clarity

Translucent
TranslucentWalter Schumann

Smithsonite and Californite Optic Character

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

Smithsonite and Californite Transparency

Similar to their colors, Smithsonite and Californite 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, Smithsonite is Translucent while Smithsonite is Translucent in appearance.