Sodalite and Proustite Optical Properties

Sodalite

Proustite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Greasy

Adamantine

1.2 Pleochroism

AbsentWalter Schumann

Moderate; cochineal-red to blood-red

1.3 Dispersion

0.02NA

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Opaque

OpaqueUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004) Rarely transparentMore from other references

1.5 Refractive Index

1.478-1.4882.792-3.087

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

cubic

Trigonal

1.8 Birefringence

Not Available0.295-0.296

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

OpaqueUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda

Sodalite and Proustite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Sodalite and Proustite 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.