Zircon and Zoisite Optical Properties

Zircon

Zoisite

Add ⊕

1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Adamantine

Vitreous

1.2 Pleochroism

Weak

X = pale pink to red-violet; Y = nearly colorless to bright pink or deep blue; Z = pale yellow to yellow-green

1.3 Dispersion

0.040.02

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent

Transparent, Translucent, Opaque . May be translucent in thin backlit sections.

1.5 Refractive Index

1.810-2.0241.685-1.707

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

tetragonal

Orthorhombic

1.8 Birefringence

0.047-0.0550.006-0.018

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

Zircon and Zoisite Optic Character

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

Compare Gems for Virgo

Zircon Vs Garnet

Zircon Vs Aragonite

Zircon Vs Howlite

Zircon and Zoisite Transparency

Similar to their colors, Zircon and Zoisite 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.