Tortoiseshell and Hibonite Optical Properties

Tortoiseshell

Hibonite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Not Available

Vitreous

1.2 Pleochroism

Not Available

O = brownish gray; E = gray

1.3 Dispersion

NANA

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Gemmological Tables (2004)

Handbook of mineralogy (2001)

1.5 Refractive Index

1.540-1.5601.79-1.807

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Not Available

Hexagonal

1.8 Birefringence

Not AvailableNot Available

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

OpaqueUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda

Handbook of mineralogy (2001)

Tortoiseshell and Hibonite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Tortoiseshell and Hibonite 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, Tortoiseshell is Gemmological Tables (2004) while Tortoiseshell is Gemmological Tables (2004) in appearance.