Tanzanite and Sapphire Optical Properties

Tanzanite

Sapphire

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous

Vitreous, Adamantine, Vitreous, Adamantine

1.2 Pleochroism

Present

Strong

1.3 Dispersion

0.030.02

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to translucent

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to opaque

1.5 Refractive Index

1.685-1.7071.762-1.788

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Orthorhombic

Trigonal

1.8 Birefringence

0.006-0.0180.008-0.009

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

TransparentUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda

Transparent

Tanzanite and Sapphire Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Tanzanite and Sapphire 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.