Zoisite and Prasiolite Optical Properties

Zoisite

Prasiolite

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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

Very weak: light green pale greenWalter Schumann

1.3 Dispersion

Albite Optical ..

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0.02

Rank: 19 (Overall)▶

0.01

Rank: 27 (Overall)▶

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Fluorite Optical Properties

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0.044 (Anglesite Opt..)

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1.4 Transparency

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

Transparent, Translucent

1.5 Refractive Index

1.685-1.707

1.544-1.553

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Orthorhombic

Trigonal

1.8 Birefringence

0.006-0.018

0.009

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

Zoisite and Prasiolite Optic Character

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

Zoisite Vs Sphene

Zoisite Vs Sunstone

Zoisite and Prasiolite Transparency

Similar to their colors, Zoisite and Prasiolite 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.

Brown Gemstones

Garnet Mali

Hessonite Garnet

Idocrase

Rhodochrosite

Sphene

Sunstone