May 15 2008
Refractive Index of Common Gemstones
Refractive Index of Metals
Refractive Index of Other Materials
When light passes from one medium to another, it’s path is bent. This bending of light is known as refraction.
Different types of media have different refractive properties. The amount of refraction for a given material is known as the refractive index.
Refractive Index of Common Gemstones
Gemstone
|
|
Agate
|
|
Alexandrite
|
|
Amber
|
|
Amethyst
|
|
Andalusite
|
|
Apatite
|
|
Aquamarine
|
|
Beryl
|
|
Chalcedony
|
|
Chrysoberyl
|
|
Citrine
|
|
Coral
|
|
Corundum
|
|
Cubic Zirconia
|
|
Diamond
|
|
Emerald
|
|
Emerald Synthetic
|
|
Fluoride
|
|
Garnet Almandine
|
|
Ivory
|
|
Jasper
|
|
Labradorite
|
|
Lapis Lazuli
|
|
Malachite
|
|
Moissanite
|
|
Moonstone (Adularia)
|
|
Morganite
|
|
Onyx
|
|
Opal
|
|
Pearl
|
|
Peridot
|
|
Quartz
|
|
Rubelite
|
|
Ruby
|
|
Sapphire
|
|
Spinel
|
|
Tanzanite
|
|
Tiger's Eye
|
|
Topaz
|
|
Tourmaline
|
|
Tourmaline (Paraiba)
|
|
Turquoise
|
|
Zircon
|
|
Refractive Index of Metals
Metal
|
|
Copper
|
|
Gold
|
|
Nickel
|
|
Platinum
|
|
Silver
|
|
Titanium
|
|
Refractive Index of Other Materials
Material
|
|
Vacuum
|
|
Air @ STP
|
|
Ice
|
|
Water @ 20°C
|
|
Acetone
|
|
Ethyl alcohol
|
|
Sugar solution(30%)
|
|
Sugar solution (80%)
|
|
Fluorite
|
|
Glycerine
|
|
Typical crown glass
|
|
Crown glasses
|
|
Spectacle crown, C-1
|
|
Sodium chloride
|
|
Polystyrene
|
|
Carbon disulfide
|
|
Flint glasses
|
|
Heavy flint glass
|
|
Extra dense flint, EDF-3
|
|
Methylene iodide
|
|
Source AZoOptics