Difference between revisions of "Sapphire"
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Sapphire is an aluminum oxide occurring in every color of the rainbow. When it is red, it is termed ruby. It is a stone of great hardness and durability. It can also have phenomenal characteristics like asterism (star sapphire) and color changing (like alexandrite). The color changing varieties are mesmerizing, having the ability to change color depending on whether they are viewed in daylight or incandescent light. | Sapphire is an aluminum oxide occurring in every color of the rainbow. When it is red, it is termed ruby. It is a stone of great hardness and durability. It can also have phenomenal characteristics like asterism (star sapphire) and color changing (like alexandrite). The color changing varieties are mesmerizing, having the ability to change color depending on whether they are viewed in daylight or incandescent light. | ||
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+ | [[image:3603_d.jpg|thumb|left|240px|2.29 ct heated Hot Pink Sapphire from Madagascar<br />Photo by Jeff Scovil<br />Courtesy of R.W. Wise Goldsmiths]]<br clear="left" /> | ||
==Sapphire history== | ==Sapphire history== |
Revision as of 14:25, 10 April 2007
Sapphire | |
---|---|
Chemical composition | Al2O3 |
Crystal system | Trigonal |
Habit | Prismatic, tabular |
Cleavage | None, may show parting on twinned stones |
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 |
Pleochroism | Moderate to Strong |
Sapphire is an aluminum oxide occurring in every color of the rainbow. When it is red, it is termed ruby. It is a stone of great hardness and durability. It can also have phenomenal characteristics like asterism (star sapphire) and color changing (like alexandrite). The color changing varieties are mesmerizing, having the ability to change color depending on whether they are viewed in daylight or incandescent light.
Contents
Sapphire history
The name is derived from the Greek word "sappheiros" meaning "blue". The history of sapphire dates back to at least the 7th century BC, when they were used by the Etruscans. The sapphires used by the Etruscans, Greeks and Romans were imported from India (what is now Sri Lanka). Sapphires were reputed to protect kings from harm and envy. In the 13th century, it was written that sapphires had the power to protect against poverty, to make a stupid man wise and an irritable man good-tempered.
Diagnostics
Spectrum
Natural blue, green and yellow sapphires with a high iron content may show the typical "450 complex" as seen in this image. The clear lines at 450 and 460nm (less sharp than the 450nm line) will be accomanied with a third (sometimes faint) line at 470nm. Due to partial absorption of wavelengths between these 450 and 460nm lines, this whole section may blend together with "smudges" between the lines.
With lesser iron content only the 450nm line may be observed in natural blue and yellow sapphire. Although this same 450nm line can also be observed in some blue flame fusion (Verneuil) synthetic sapphire, the "450 complex" will never be seen in synthetic sapphire.
Phenomena
Asterism
Color change
Cat's eyes
Trapiche
Inclusion Images
Un-heated Sapphires
Heated Sapphires
Beryllium-Treated Sapphires
Sapphire mining
Kashmir, Burma, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Australia, China, Montana USA, Thailand
Sources
- A students' guide to spectroscopy (2003) - Colin H. Winter