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16.03: Corundum

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    3272
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    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.jpg


    Corundum is an aluminum oxide that occurs in every color of the rainbow. It is allochromatic. When it is red, it is termed ruby. When it occurs in any other color, it is termed 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 for rubies today are Burma and Madagascar. The major source for sapphire is Madagascar. Other locations include Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, East Africa and Yogo Gulch in Montana.


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