Tourmaline and Hessonite Garnet Optical Properties

Tourmaline

Hessonite Garnet

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous

Not Available

1.2 Pleochroism

typically moderate to strong

Not Available

1.3 Dispersion

0.02NA

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to opaque

Not Available

1.5 Refractive Index

1.614-1.6661.72-1.75

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Trigonal

Isometric

1.8 Birefringence

0.014-0.040Not Available

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

Color grading system

Tourmaline and Hessonite Garnet Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Tourmaline and Hessonite Garnet 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.