Zoisite and Serpentine Optical Properties

Zoisite

Serpentine

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous

Vitreous, Greasy, Silky

1.2 Pleochroism

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

AbsentWalter Schumann

1.3 Dispersion

0.02None

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

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

Translucent

1.5 Refractive Index

1.685-1.7071.560-1.571

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Orthorhombic

monoclinic

1.8 Birefringence

0.006-0.0180.008-0.014

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

Translucent

Zoisite and Serpentine Optic Character

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

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Zoisite and Serpentine Transparency

Similar to their colors, Zoisite and Serpentine 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.