Tourmaline and Chalcopyrite Optical Properties

Tourmaline

Chalcopyrite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous

Not Available

1.2 Pleochroism

typically moderate to strong

AbsentWalter Schumann

1.3 Dispersion

0.02NA

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to opaque

Handbook of mineralogy (2001)

1.5 Refractive Index

1.614-1.666Not Available

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Trigonal

tetragonal

1.8 Birefringence

0.014-0.040Not Available

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

Handbook of mineralogy (2001)

Tourmaline and Chalcopyrite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Tourmaline and Chalcopyrite 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.