Tanzanite and Nephrite Optical Properties

Tanzanite

Nephrite

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Optical Properties

Luster

Vitreous

Vitreous, Greasy

Pleochroism

Present

None

Dispersion

0.030.01

0.005 1

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Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to translucent

Translucent

Refractive Index

1.685-1.7071.600-1.627

1 3.25

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Optic Character

Crystal System

Orthorhombic

monoclinic

Birefringence

0.006-0.0180.027

0 0.296

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Clarity

TransparentUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda

Translucent

Tanzanite and Nephrite Optic Character

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

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