Optics 101

Refractive Index - Refractive Index of Common Gemstones and Materials

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

Refractive Index

Agate

1.544

Alexandrite

1.745

Amber

1.539 - 1.546

Amethyst

1.532 - 1.554

Andalusite

1.641

Apatite

1.632 - 1.420

Aquamarine

1.577

Beryl

1.577 - 1.600

Chalcedony

1.530

Chrysoberyl

1.745

Citrine

1.532 - 1.554

Coral

1.486

Corundum

1.766

Cubic Zirconia

1.800 - 2.170

Diamond

2.417

Emerald

1.576

Emerald Synthetic

1.561

Fluoride

1.560

Garnet Almandine

1.760

Ivory

1.540

Jasper

1.540

Labradorite

1.560 - 1.570

Lapis Lazuli

1.610

Malachite

1.655

Moissanite

2.670

Moonstone (Adularia)

1.518 - 1.526

Morganite

1.577

Onyx

1.486

Opal

1.450

Pearl

1.530

Peridot

1.654

Quartz

1.544

Rubelite

1.567

Ruby

1.766

Sapphire

1.766

Spinel

1.712

Tanzanite

1.692 - 1.700

Tiger's Eye

1.544

Topaz

1.620

Tourmaline

1.624

Tourmaline (Paraiba)

1.610 - 1.650

Turquoise

1.610

Zircon

1.800 - 1.960

Refractive Index of Metals

Metal

Refractive Index

Copper

1.100

Gold

0.470

Nickel

1.080

Platinum

2.330

Silver

0.180

Titanium

2.160

Refractive Index of Other Materials

Material

Refractive Index

Vacuum

1.00000

Air @ STP

1.00029

Ice

1.31

Water @ 20°C

1.33

Acetone

1.36

Ethyl alcohol

1.36

Sugar solution(30%)

1.38

Sugar solution (80%)

1.49

Fluorite

1.433

Glycerine

1.473

Typical crown glass

1.52

Crown glasses

1.52-1.62

Spectacle crown, C-1

1.523

Sodium chloride

1.54

Polystyrene

1.55-1.59

Carbon disulfide

1.63

Flint glasses

1.57-1.75

Heavy flint glass

1.65

Extra dense flint, EDF-3

1.7200

Methylene iodide

1.74

Source AZoOptics

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