Zoisite and Axinite Optical Properties

Zoisite

Axinite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous

1.2 Pleochroism

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

Strong

1.3 Dispersion

0.020.02

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

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

Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references

1.5 Refractive Index

1.685-1.7071.656-1.704

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

Biaxial/+

1.7 Crystal System

Orthorhombic

Triclinic

1.8 Birefringence

0.006-0.0180.009-0.012

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

TransparentUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda

Zoisite and Axinite Optic Character

Zoisite and Axinite optical properties play a significant role while distinguishing these gemstones from each other. These properties are influenced by the Zoisite and Axinite 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 Zoisite and Axinite 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. Axinite has Biaxial/+ character.

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Zoisite and Axinite Transparency

Similar to their colors, Zoisite and Axinite 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, Zoisite is Opaque . May be translucent in thin backlit sections., Translucent and Transparent while Zoisite is Opaque . May be translucent in thin backlit sections., Translucent and Transparent in appearance.