Tanzanite and Californite Optical Properties

Tanzanite

Californite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous

1.2 Pleochroism

Present

Weak; present colour lighter

1.3 Dispersion

0.03NA

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to translucent

TranslucentWalter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)

1.5 Refractive Index

1.685-1.7071.700-1.725

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Orthorhombic

Not Available

1.8 Birefringence

0.006-0.0180.001-0.012

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

TransparentUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda

TranslucentWalter Schumann

Tanzanite and Californite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Tanzanite and Californite 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.