Tanzanite and Apophyllite Optical Properties

Tanzanite

Apophyllite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous

Vitreous, Pearly

1.2 Pleochroism

Present

Dichroic (colorless)

1.3 Dispersion

0.03NA

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to translucent

Transparent, Translucent

1.5 Refractive Index

1.685-1.7071.530-1.543

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

Uniaxial/-

1.7 Crystal System

Orthorhombic

tetragonal

1.8 Birefringence

0.006-0.0180.000-0.003

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

TransparentUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda

Transparent

Tanzanite and Apophyllite Optic Character

Tanzanite and Apophyllite optical properties play a significant role while distinguishing these gemstones from each other. These properties are influenced by the Tanzanite and Apophyllite 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 Tanzanite and Apophyllite 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. Apophyllite has Uniaxial/- character.

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Tanzanite and Apophyllite Transparency

Similar to their colors, Tanzanite and Apophyllite 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, Tanzanite is Translucent, Transparent and Transparent to translucent while Tanzanite is Translucent, Transparent and Transparent to translucent in appearance.