Sunstone and Mellite Optical Properties

Sunstone

Mellite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous

1.2 Pleochroism

Weak or absentWalter Schumann

Weak: yellowish brown yellowAnthony et al

1.3 Dispersion

NoneNA

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to translucent

Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references

1.5 Refractive Index

1.53-1.551.509-1.541

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Triclinic

Not Available

1.8 Birefringence

0.007-0.0100.030

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent to translucent

TransparentUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda

Sunstone and Mellite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Sunstone and Mellite 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.