Spinel and Ruby Optical Properties

Spinel

Ruby

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous

Vitreous, Adamantine, Vitreous, Adamantine

1.2 Pleochroism

Absent

Strong: purplish-red

1.3 Dispersion

0.020.02

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to translucent

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to opaque

1.5 Refractive Index

1.731.762-1.778

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Isometric

Trigonal

1.8 Birefringence

Not Available0.008

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

TransparentUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda

Transparent

Spinel and Ruby Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Spinel and Ruby 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, Spinel is Translucent, Transparent and Transparent to translucent while Spinel is Translucent, Transparent and Transparent to translucent in appearance.