Sunstone and Moonstone Optical Properties

Sunstone

Moonstone

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous

Pearly

1.2 Pleochroism

Weak or absentWalter Schumann

AbsentWalter Schumann

1.3 Dispersion

NoneNone

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to translucent

Transparent, Transparent to translucent

1.5 Refractive Index

1.53-1.551.518-1.527

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Triclinic

monoclinic

1.8 Birefringence

0.007-0.0100.006-0.007

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent to translucent

Transparent

Sunstone and Moonstone Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Sunstone and Moonstone 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.