Final answer:
The capacity of a mineral to transmit light is related to transmission, reflection, and absorption. A diamond's structure allows it to refract light and create a colorful sparkle. Fluorescent and phosphorescent materials can convert non-visible radiation to visible light.
Step-by-step explanation:
The capacity of a mineral to transmit light is closely related to its optical properties, particularly the concepts of transmission, reflection, and absorption of light. For example, a high-quality diamond has the ability to transmit all visible wavelengths with little absorption. This means that when light enters the diamond, it can travel through without being significantly absorbed or lost. As the light passes through the diamond, due to the unique structural arrangement of carbon atoms, it is refracted in different directions, creating a spectrum of colors often referred to as 'fire.' This refraction, along with total internal reflection caused by the diamond's faceted shape, causes the light to sparkle with flashes of brilliant color. Similarly, materials like fluorescent dyes and phosphorescent substances can absorb radiation that is not visible to the human eye and then re-emit it as visible light, a process that is used in various scientific and decorative applications.