Color and optical effects

wavenumber

reflection, transmission, scattering, refraction, absorption

crystal field transitions

3d electrons

molecular orbital transitions

color center, electron color center, hole color center

play of colors, opalescence, schiller

iridescence, labradorescence

chatoyancy, asterism

luminescence, fluorescence, phosphorescence, thermoluminescence, triboluminescence

 

What are the 5 things that can happen when light strikes a mineral?  Briefly explain each. 

Give an example of a mineral or variety of mineral that owes its color (name the color) to a crystal field transition. 

Give an example of a mineral or variety of mineral that owes its color (name the color) to a molecular orbital transition. 

How is the purple color of fluorite produced?

How is the color of smoky quartz produced?

How is the play of colors in opal produced?

Name a mineral that displays iridescence. 

What are 2 minerals that may show fluorescence?