Sodalite and Malachite Optical Properties

Sodalite

Malachite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Greasy

Adamantine, Vitreous, Silky, Fibrous

1.2 Pleochroism

AbsentWalter Schumann

Not Available

1.3 Dispersion

0.02None

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Opaque

Opaque

1.5 Refractive Index

1.478-1.4881.655-1.909

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

cubic

monoclinic

1.8 Birefringence

Not Available0.254

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references

Sodalite and Malachite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Sodalite and Malachite 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.