Sodalite and Alexandrite Optical Properties

Sodalite

Alexandrite

Add ⊕

1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Greasy

Vitreous

1.2 Pleochroism

AbsentWalter Schumann

Not Available

1.3 Dispersion

0.02NA

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Opaque

Transparent, Transparent to nearly opaque

1.5 Refractive Index

1.478-1.4881.739-1.770

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

Biaxial/+

1.7 Crystal System

cubic

Orthorhombic

1.8 Birefringence

Not Available0.007-0.010

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

Sodalite and Alexandrite Optic Character

Sodalite and Alexandrite optical properties play a significant role while distinguishing these gemstones from each other. These properties are influenced by the Sodalite and Alexandrite 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 Sodalite and Alexandrite 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. Alexandrite has Biaxial/+ character.

Compare Gems for Sagittarius

Sodalite Vs Copper

Sodalite Vs Zircon

Sodalite Vs Iolite

Sodalite and Alexandrite Transparency

Similar to their colors, Sodalite and Alexandrite 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, Sodalite is Opaque, Translucent and Transparent while Sodalite is Opaque, Translucent and Transparent in appearance.