Sunstone and Petalite Optical Properties

Sunstone

Petalite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous

Vitreous, Pearly

1.2 Pleochroism

Weak or absentWalter Schumann

AbsentWalter Schumann

1.3 Dispersion

None0.01

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to translucent

Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references

1.5 Refractive Index

1.53-1.551.502-1.523

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Triclinic

monoclinic

1.8 Birefringence

0.007-0.0100.012-0.016

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent to translucent

TransparentUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda

Sunstone and Petalite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Sunstone and Petalite 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.