Tourmaline and Lepidolite Optical Properties

Tourmaline

Lepidolite

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Optical Properties

Luster

Vitreous

Vitreous, Pearly

Pleochroism

typically moderate to strong

X = almost colorless; Y = Z = pink

Dispersion

0.020.01

0.005 1

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Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to opaque

Transparent

Refractive Index

1.614-1.6661.525-1.587

1 3.25

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Optic Character

Crystal System

Trigonal

Triclinic

Birefringence

0.014-0.0400.0290-0.0380

0 0.296

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Clarity

Transparent

Tourmaline and Lepidolite Optic Character

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

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