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Sunstone and Thulite Optical Properties


Thulite and Sunstone Optical Properties


Optical Properties

Luster
Vitreous   
Vitreous   

Pleochroism
Weak or absentWalter Schumann   
Present   

Dispersion
None   
Not Available   

Transparency
Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to translucent   
Opaque, Translucent, Opaque . May be translucent in thin backlit sections.   

Refractive Index
1.53-1.55   
1.695   

Optic Character
Not Available   
Not Available   

Crystal System
Triclinic   
Orthorhombic   

Birefringence
0.007-0.010   
0.006-0.018   

Clarity
Transparent to translucent   
OpaqueHerve Nicolas Lazzarelli   

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Sunstone and Thulite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Sunstone and Thulite 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.

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