The transparency of the gemstone means the ability of the gemstone for transmitting the visible light. The more visible light it can transmit, the higher the transparence will be and the more transparent it looks like. The transparence of the gemstone can be divided into 3 categories: transparent, semi-transparent and opacity.
(1) Transparent: It allows most visible light go through the gemstone. We can see the object in the opposite side through the gemstone, like diamond, ruby, aquamarine, apyrite and garnet. Most gemstones are transparent.
(2) Semi-transparent: It allows partial visible light go through the gemstone. Though it can transmit the light, we cannot see clearly the object in the opposite side, like the high-quality jade.
(3) Opacity: Basically there is no light going through the gemstone or jade. Like the precious star ruby, star sapphire and the cat-eye stones of various kinds of minerals, they are not transparent. Jade, color stone and ink stone are opacity.
The smoothness of the surface of the gemstone can also affect the transparence. We generally have the perceptual knowledge that the glass with smooth surface is very clear, but after the surface is polished and becomes the rough-cast glass, the transparence will be decreased greatly and turn semi-transparency from transparency. In addition, the impurity, inclusion and crack of the gemstone will directly affect the transparence.
The identification of the transparence of the gemstone is all watched by eyes, so the 3 divisions of the transparence mentioned above is rough. The transparency and opacity in the nature are relative and it should not be in the absolute terms. Take the gold for example, generally speaking, it is opacity, but after it is made into the gold leaf, it is semi-transparent. The transparence of an object also relates to its thickness. Some gemstone seems to be opacity watching by eyes, but when irradiated by the electric torch, it becomes transparent. This kind of gemstone, like sapphire, purple etc., can still be transparent after being polished.
7mm Pink Simulated Sapphire Round Cut Style Ring
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Thanks a lot for the information, happen to be looking many nights for this.