Tourmaline and Cacoxenite Optical Properties

Tourmaline

Cacoxenite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous

Silky

1.2 Pleochroism

typically moderate to strong

visible: O = Pale yellow E = Canary yellow to yellow orange

1.3 Dispersion

0.02NA

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to opaque

Not Available

1.5 Refractive Index

1.614-1.6661.575-1.585

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Trigonal

Hexagonal

1.8 Birefringence

0.014-0.040Not Available

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

Not Available

Tourmaline and Cacoxenite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Tourmaline and Cacoxenite 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.