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Zoisite and Sillimanite Optical Properties


Sillimanite and Zoisite Optical Properties


Optical Properties

Luster
Vitreous   
Vitreous, Subadamantine, Silky   

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   

Dispersion
0.02   
19
Not Available   

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

Refractive Index
1.685-1.707   
1.653-1.685   

Optic Character
Not Available   
Not Available   

Crystal System
Orthorhombic   
Orthorhombic   

Birefringence
0.006-0.018   
0.020-0.022   

Clarity
Transparent   
Transparent   

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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.

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Brown Gemstones


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