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Sunstone and Topaz Optical Properties


Topaz and Sunstone Optical Properties


Optical Properties

Luster
Vitreous   
Vitreous   

Pleochroism
Weak or absentWalter Schumann   
Weak   

Dispersion
None   
0.01   
26

Transparency
Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to translucent   
Transparent   

Refractive Index
1.53-1.55   
1.606-1.644   

Optic Character
Not Available   
Not Available   

Crystal System
Triclinic   
Orthorhombic   

Birefringence
0.007-0.010   
0.008-0.011   

Clarity
Transparent to translucent   
TransparentUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda   

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Sunstone and Topaz Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Sunstone and Topaz 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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