Tanzanite and Cassiterite Optical Properties

Tanzanite

Cassiterite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous

Adamantine, Greasy

1.2 Pleochroism

Present

Pleochroic haloes have been observed. Dichroic in yellow

1.3 Dispersion

0.030.07

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to translucent

Transparent, Translucent

1.5 Refractive Index

1.685-1.7071.990-2.105

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Orthorhombic

tetragonal

1.8 Birefringence

0.006-0.0180.096-0.098

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

TransparentUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda

Transparent

Tanzanite and Cassiterite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Tanzanite and Cassiterite 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.