What gemstone characteristic provides information on how light interacts with it?

The characteristic that provides information on how light interacts with a gemstone is brilliance. Brilliance refers to the amount of light that a gem reflects back to the eye. This quality is influenced by factors such as the cut of the gemstone, its refractive index, and its ability to disperse light. A well-cut gemstone will maximize the amount of light that enters and reflects out, showcasing its brilliance beautifully.

For instance, diamonds are well-known for their high brilliance due to their specific optical properties, which include a high refractive index and exceptional light dispersion. The term "brilliance" can often be associated with how appealing and lively a gemstone appears when light hits it.

Bodycolor reflects the hue of the gemstone itself, while cabochon refers to a style of cutting and shaping gemstones. Botryoidal describes a specific mineral form that resembles a cluster of grapes, which is unrelated to the optic qualities of the stone. Each of these concepts plays a different role in the overall appreciation and evaluation of a gemstone, but it is brilliance that specifically addresses the interaction of light with the stone.