Sunstone and Covellite Optical Properties

Sunstone

Covellite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous

Resinous

1.2 Pleochroism

Weak or absentWalter Schumann

Marked

1.3 Dispersion

NoneNA

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to translucent

OpaqueAnthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001) More from other references

1.5 Refractive Index

1.53-1.551.45-2.62

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Triclinic

Hexagonal

1.8 Birefringence

0.007-0.010Not Available

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent to translucent

OpaqueAnthony et al

Sunstone and Covellite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Sunstone and Covellite 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.