Zoisite and Sillimanite Optical Properties

Zoisite

Sillimanite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Vitreous

Vitreous, Subadamantine, 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

Colourless to pale brown to yellow

1.3 Dispersion

0.02NA

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

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

Transparent, Translucent

1.5 Refractive Index

1.685-1.7071.653-1.685

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Orthorhombic

1.8 Birefringence

0.006-0.0180.020-0.022

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

Zoisite and Sillimanite Optic Character

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

Similar to their colors, Zoisite and Sillimanite 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.