Tourmaline and Amblygonite Optical Properties

Tourmaline

Amblygonite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous

Vitreous, Pearly

1.2 Pleochroism

typically moderate to strong

weak to none

1.3 Dispersion

0.020.01

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to opaque

Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references

1.5 Refractive Index

1.614-1.6661.578-1.646

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

Biaxial/+

1.7 Crystal System

Trigonal

Triclinic

1.8 Birefringence

0.014-0.0400.020-0.030

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

TransparentUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda

Tourmaline and Amblygonite Optic Character

Tourmaline and Amblygonite optical properties play a significant role while distinguishing these gemstones from each other. These properties are influenced by the Tourmaline and Amblygonite 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 Tourmaline and Amblygonite 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. Amblygonite has Biaxial/+ character.

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Tourmaline and Amblygonite Transparency

Similar to their colors, Tourmaline and Amblygonite 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, Tourmaline is Translucent, Transparent and Transparent to opaque while Tourmaline is Translucent, Transparent and Transparent to opaque in appearance.