Sunstone and Cordierite Optical Properties

Sunstone

Cordierite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous

Greasy, Vitreous

1.2 Pleochroism

Weak or absentWalter Schumann

X = pale yellow

1.3 Dispersion

NoneNA

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to translucent

Not Available

1.5 Refractive Index

1.53-1.55Not Available

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Triclinic

Orthorhombic

1.8 Birefringence

0.007-0.010Not Available

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent to translucent

Not Available

Sunstone and Cordierite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Sunstone and Cordierite 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, Sunstone is Translucent, Transparent and Transparent to translucent while Sunstone is Translucent, Transparent and Transparent to translucent in appearance.