Tourmaline and Serpentine Optical Properties

Tourmaline

Serpentine

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous

Vitreous, Greasy, Silky

1.2 Pleochroism

typically moderate to strong

AbsentWalter Schumann

1.3 Dispersion

0.02None

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to opaque

Translucent

1.5 Refractive Index

1.614-1.6661.560-1.571

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Trigonal

monoclinic

1.8 Birefringence

0.014-0.0400.008-0.014

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

Translucent

Tourmaline and Serpentine Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Tourmaline and Serpentine 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.