Zoisite and Dioptase Optical Properties

Zoisite

Dioptase

Add ⊕

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

Weak; dark emerald green

1.3 Dispersion

0.020.04

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

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

TranslucentHerve Nicolas Lazzarelli

1.5 Refractive Index

1.685-1.7071.644-1.720

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Orthorhombic

Trigonal

1.8 Birefringence

0.006-0.0180.051-0.053

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

TranslucentHerve Nicolas Lazzarelli

Zoisite and Dioptase Optic Character

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

Zoisite Vs Sphene

Zoisite Vs Sunstone

Zoisite Vs Tourmaline Bi Color

Zoisite and Dioptase Transparency

Similar to their colors, Zoisite and Dioptase 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.