I wasn't too sure on which board to ask this question but I need some other people to help me brainstorm this and god knows I have no friends so here it goes.

I am trying to create a painting. More specifically I have a hobby in geology. Now I would like to paint crystals, I've been practicing lighting techniques but here is where I come to /sci/ for answers. I'm trying to paint a bi-color refraction and simulate it with acrylic paint. Obviously I can't simulate motion but how does the human eye translate refraction of light through crystal? More specifically let's say a beam of light enters a crystal directly from the left and nowhere else, how are the photons split? Is it based on the composition and density of the crystal or is it based on the outside faucets? A combination of both? More specifics; I am using cyan/purple. When it comes to painting most modern artists aren't interested in actual color theory, realism, etc. If I google these questions I have to first wade through mounds of shit for hours on end.

Thanks for the answers helpful or otherwise, I'm mostly looking for ideas so if any of you have some real life examples of what I'm talking about feel free to share.