Sunstone and Lepidolite Optical Properties

Sunstone

Lepidolite

Add ⊕

1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous

Vitreous, Pearly

1.2 Pleochroism

Weak or absentWalter Schumann

X = almost colorless; Y = Z = pink

1.3 Dispersion

NoneNA

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to translucent

Transparent

1.5 Refractive Index

1.53-1.551.525-1.587

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Triclinic

1.8 Birefringence

0.007-0.0100.0290-0.0380

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent to translucent

Transparent

Sunstone and Lepidolite Optic Character

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

Compare Gems for Leo » More

Sunstone Vs Crystal Quartz

Sunstone Vs Heliodor

Sunstone Vs Pietersite

» More

More Compare Gems for Leo

Sunstone and Lepidolite Transparency

Similar to their colors, Sunstone and Lepidolite 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.