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Glite Dictionary
pleochroism

pleochroism

9.9
Different colors appear in some crystals when you look at them from different directions
  • noun
  • /ˌplēəˈkrōˌizəm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : pleocroísmo
  • The pleochroism in the crystal was stunning.

Examples

  • Tourmaline is well known for exhibiting intense pleochroism, often appearing green from one angle and pink from another.

  • Gemologists use pleochroism to help identify certain gemstones by their changing colors.

  • The mineral cordierite displays striking pleochroism when rotated under polarized light.

  • Can you explain pleochroism to me?

  • The property of pleochroism allows a gemstone to display shades of blue and green when viewed at different angles.

  • When examining the sapphire, its pleochroism revealed beautiful undertones of violet under certain lighting.

  • The expert gemologist explained how pleochroism enhances the visual appeal of many colored gemstones.

Synonyms

dichroism
vspleochroism
  • Specialized
9.9

A property of a material that shows two colors from different directions

is broader covering any number of color changes not only two
trichroism
vspleochroism
  • Specialized
9.9

A property of some crystals that makes them show three colors from different directions

is broader covering any number of color changes not only three

Surface Forms

pleochroism singular
pleochroisms plural

Morphology

pleochroism = pleochroic (opaque) = pleo + chro + ism

The term is built from specialized Greek combining forms rather than familiar English words, so an average learner cannot derive its meaning from the components.

Etymology

Pleochroism comes from Greek parts pleo- meaning 'more' or 'many' and chroma meaning 'color', the same root you see in chrome. So pleochroism describes crystals that show different 'colors' when you look from different directions.