Diaphaneity, or the power of transmitting light:-some rather fine trade distinctions are drawn between the stones in this class, technical distinctions made specially for purposes of classification, thus:-a "non-diaphanous" stone is one which is quite opaque, no light of any kind passing through its substance; a "diaphanous" stone is one which is altogether transparent; "semi-diaphanous" means one not altogether transparent, and sometimes called "sub-transparent."
"The Chemistry, Properties and Tests of Precious Stones"
John Mastin
Then, with characteristic frankness, my young lady shakes out before me things all frills, embroidery, ribbons, Diaphaneity, which the ordinary man only examines through shop-front windows when a philosophic mood induces him to speculate on the unfathomable vanity of woman.
"The Morals of Marcus Ordeyne"
William J. Locke
You look up and down the lemon-tinted streets, -down to the dazzling azure brightness of meeting sky and sea; up to the perpetual verdure of mountain woods-wondering at the mellowness of tones, the sharpness of lines in the light, the Diaphaneity of colored shadows; always asking memory: When?...
"Two Years in the French West Indies"
Lafcadio Hearn