Tourmaline and Zircon Optical Properties

Tourmaline

Zircon

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous

Adamantine

1.2 Pleochroism

typically moderate to strong

Weak

1.3 Dispersion

0.020.04

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Transparent to opaque

Transparent

1.5 Refractive Index

1.614-1.6661.810-2.024

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Trigonal

tetragonal

1.8 Birefringence

0.014-0.0400.047-0.055

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

Tourmaline and Zircon Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Tourmaline and Zircon 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.