Corundum
From The Gemology Project
Corundum | |
---|---|
Chemical composition | Al2O3 |
Crystal system | Trigonal |
Habit | Prismatic, tabular |
Cleavage | None; twinned stones may show parting |
Fracture | Conchoidal |
Hardness | 9 |
Optic nature | Uniaxial - |
Refractive index | 1.762-1.770 (+.009,-.005) |
Birefringence | 0.008-0.010 |
Dispersion | Low, 0.018 |
Specific gravity | 4 |
Lustre | Vitreous to Subadamantine |
Pleochroism | Weak to moderate |
Corundum is an aluminum oxide that occurs in every color of the rainbow. It is allochromatic. When it is red it is termed a ruby. When it occurs in any other color it is termed a sapphire. There are two primary ways that corundum is formed. One is the metamorphosis of limestone and the other is an igneous occurrence in rocks lacking in silica. Since corundum is so hard it is very resistant to weathering. Therefore, it accumulates in placer gravels. Placer deposits in Sri Lanka at Ratnapura have been mined since before the time of Buddha. The major sources today for rubies are Burma and Madagascar. The major source for sapphire is Madagascar. Other locals include Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, East Africa and Yogo Gulch in Montana.