Optical Property · Reviewed definition

Optical Character

A classification describing how a crystalline material interacts with polarized light according to its symmetry and principal refractive indices.[1]

Also known as: Optic Character

Plain English

What it means

Optical character helps distinguish isotropic, uniaxial, and biaxial behavior.

Why it matters

It connects refractive-index observations with crystal symmetry.

What it does not tell you

Aggregate and anomalous behavior can complicate interpretation.

Evidence

References

  1. 1
    Analysis of Gemstones at GIA Laboratories

    Gemological Institute of America

    Open source