Tourmaline and Tigers Eye Optical Properties

Tourmaline

Tigers Eye

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous

Silky

1.2 Pleochroism

typically moderate to strong

Not Available

1.3 Dispersion

0.02None

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to opaque

Opaque

1.5 Refractive Index

1.614-1.6661.534-1.540

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Trigonal

1.8 Birefringence

0.014-0.040Not Available

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references

Tourmaline and Tigers Eye Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Tourmaline and Tigers Eye 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.