Tanzanite and Zoisite Optical Properties

Tanzanite

Zoisite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous

1.2 Pleochroism

Present

X = pale pink to red-violet; Y = nearly colorless to bright pink or deep blue; Z = pale yellow to yellow-green

1.3 Dispersion

0.030.02

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to translucent

Transparent, Translucent, Opaque . May be translucent in thin backlit sections.

1.5 Refractive Index

1.685-1.7071.685-1.707

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Orthorhombic

1.8 Birefringence

0.006-0.0180.006-0.018

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

TransparentUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda

Transparent

Tanzanite and Zoisite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Tanzanite and Zoisite 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.