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Sphalerite
Sphalerite

Sillimanite
Sillimanite



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Sphalerite
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Sillimanite

Sphalerite and Sillimanite Optical Properties

Optical Properties

Luster

Adamantine
Vitreous, Subadamantine, Silky

Pleochroism

-
Colourless to pale brown to yellow

Dispersion

0.160.02
0.005 1
👆🏻

Transparency

Transparent, Translucent
Transparent, Translucent

Refractive Index

2.368-2.3711.653-1.685
1 3.25
👆🏻

Optic Character

-
-

Crystal System

Isometric
Orthorhombic

Birefringence

-99990.020-0.022
0 0.296
👆🏻

Clarity

Transparent
Transparent

Sphalerite and Sillimanite Optic Character

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

Sphalerite and Sillimanite Transparency

Similar to their colors, Sphalerite and Sillimanite 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, Sphalerite is Transparent and Translucent while Sphalerite is Transparent and Translucent in appearance.