Outward Characteristics of Precious Stones: Transparency

The meaning of gem descriptions such as transparent, semi-transparent, translucid, and opaque

TRANSPARENCY:

Transparency is the property that precious stones possess of being more or less easily traversed by luminous rays.

They are transparent when, being interposed between the eye and an object, they allow all the outlines of this object to be seen with perfect clearness. Example: the diamond.

They are semi-transparent when the objects viewed through them are a little confused. Example: the emerald.

They are translucid when nothing can be perceived when they are placed before the eye, but that the light evidently has a passage through them. Example: the chalcedony.

Finally, they are opaque when not a ray of light can penetrate them. Example: the jasper.


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