Sunstone and Rock Crystal Optical Properties

Sunstone

Rock Crystal

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Optical Properties

Luster

Pleochroism

Dispersion

Transparency

Refractive Index

Optic Character

Crystal System

Birefringence

Clarity

Vitreous

Weak or absentWalter Schumann

0.01

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to translucent

1.53-1.55

Triclinic

0.007-0.010

Transparent to translucent

0.01

TransparentWalter Schumann

1.544-1.553

0.009

TransparentWalter Schumann

Sunstone and Rock Crystal Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Sunstone and Rock Crystal 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 Transparent, Translucent and Transparent to translucent while Sunstone is Transparent, Translucent and Transparent to translucent in appearance.