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Wulfenite and Malachite Optical Properties


Malachite and Wulfenite Optical Properties


Optical Properties

Luster
Adamantine, Resinous   
Adamantine, Vitreous, Silky, Fibrous   

Pleochroism
Weak   
Not Available   

Dispersion
Not Available   
None   

Transparency
Transparent   
Opaque   

Refractive Index
2.280-2.405   
1.655-1.909   

Optic Character
Not Available   
Not Available   

Crystal System
tetragonal   
monoclinic   

Birefringence
0.122   
0.254   

Clarity
Transparent   
Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references   

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Wulfenite and Malachite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Wulfenite and Malachite 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, Wulfenite is Transparent while Wulfenite is Transparent in appearance.

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