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Zircon
Zircon

Cassiterite
Cassiterite



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Zircon
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Cassiterite

Zircon and Cassiterite Optical Properties

Optical Properties

Luster

Adamantine
Adamantine, Greasy

Pleochroism

Weak
Pleochroic haloes have been observed. Dichroic in yellow

Dispersion

0.040.07
0.005 1
👆🏻

Transparency

Transparent
Transparent, Translucent

Refractive Index

1.810-2.0241.990-2.105
1 3.25
👆🏻

Optic Character

-
-

Crystal System

tetragonal
tetragonal

Birefringence

0.047-0.0550.096-0.098
0 0.296
👆🏻

Clarity

Transparent
Transparent

Zircon and Cassiterite Optic Character

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

Zircon and Cassiterite Transparency

Similar to their colors, Zircon and Cassiterite 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, Zircon is Transparent while Zircon is Transparent in appearance.