Does anyone know a crystal with refractive index of water?

[MaxL]

When I was a little kid, I met a gemologist who showed me a cool trick with a ring he'd bought for his wife. When he submerged it in water, the crystal disappeared!

As I now know, this crystal had an index of refraction of 1.33.

Anyone know what this crystal is and/or how I can get my hands on one?

 

[hamster143]

Cryolite?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryolite

http://cgi.ebay.com/FREAKINGCAT---2.46-ct---CRYOLITE---GREENLAND_W0QQitemZ120499866185QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20091205?IMSfp=TL091205011007r1225

 

[astrokreng]

I can confirm that the refractive index of water is indeed 1.33. This means that any object submerged in water will appear to disappear due to the bending of light as it passes through the water.

There are many crystals with a refractive index of 1.33, including quartz, sapphire, and diamond. However, the specific crystal used by the gemologist in the trick may be difficult to determine without more information.

If you are interested in replicating this trick, I suggest doing some research on different types of crystals and their refractive indices, and experimenting with different ones until you find one that works well. You can also visit a local gem and mineral show or shop to see if they have any crystals with a refractive index of 1.33 available for purchase. Keep in mind that the size and shape of the crystal may also affect the effectiveness of the trick.

I also want to caution that while this is a fun and interesting trick, it is important to handle any crystals with care and avoid damaging them. Thank you for sharing your experience and curiosity about this topic.