Corundum: what is it, varieties, properties and applications

Corundum is a precious mineral, the most famous derivatives of which are sapphire and ruby. These stones are considered not just valuable gems, but jewelry of the highest category. In mineralogy, there is a group of corundums that are similar in structure, properties of the chemical and physical series. For a long period of time, experts distinguished varieties of corundum as separate types of natural stones.

After chemical science and geological research reached a certain level, data were obtained that allow combining minerals into one group. All minerals differed only in appearance, and in their composition they were uniform. So a group of stones was identified under the general name "corundum".

The history of corundum dates back many centuries. The incredible demand for this mineral arose as soon as its formations were discovered. Not all precious subspecies of corundum are common and known., but, probably, each person will be able to answer the question of what a ruby ​​or sapphire looks like.

But the question of the characteristics of corundum will cause difficulties for many, although both known stones are formed from the same mineral. Corundum has a rich color scheme and many varieties. Its cost is high, and popularity among connoisseurs is huge.

At first, only people belonging to the religious elite could buy and wear it: priests or priests. Corundum began its distribution around the world from the territory of India, and from there it came to European countries. Demand for corundum formed very quickly, stones became popular and in demand.

From clergy, the stone moved to diplomacy, where it acquired symbolic significance. Gifts with blue or red corundums in the fields of higher diplomacy were considered manifestations of the highest respect.

In Russia, the mineral was discovered in the middle of the last century. The domestic name of corundum is yachont. Scarlet yacht is the name of the ruby, and azure - sapphire. The stone was highly valued by the Russian nobility at all historical times.

In different countries, corundum is called in its own way, and Among the most spectacular items you will find the following:

• eastern diamond;
• violet;
• padparaja;
• eastern emerald;
• almandine sapphire;
• eastern amethyst.

Distinctive characteristics and description of a pure mineral:

• absolute transparency;
• the stone has no color due to lack of pigment;
• shine of bright type, glassy;
• incredible resemblance to a diamond.

In most deposits of corundum, pigmented minerals are found that contain various rock inclusions, for example, of the colloidal type. As for the colors, the color palette is impressive: blue and blue, red and scarlet, green, lilac.

Today, sapphire corundum deposits amount to almost 20 times more than ruby ​​deposits. The largest crystal mining is in Asia. The development area is a quadrangle including Thailand, Myanmar, India and Sri Lanka. The world's most valuable premium rubies come from Sri Lanka and Myanmar deposits, while elite sapphires enter the jewelry market from India.

In addition, corundum is mined in Tanzania and in Australia. It is there that sapphires of rare shades are found - black, green. No less large deposits are located in the United States and Canada.

As for the European mainland, corundums are found in Turkey, Greece, and Norway. Domestic deposits are located in the Urals, in Primorye and near Krasnoyarsk. One of the most recent corundum mining sites discovered not so long ago is in Kazakhstan.

The chemical composition of the group of corundums refers to crystalline aluminum oxides. Stone is formed only where the rock contains a large amount of alumina, while silica should be in short supply. More than half of the composition of the mineral crystal is aluminum. Chemical formula – Al203.

The hardness and density of a pure stone is very high, it has a tint of a slightly gray color, while the mineral has excellent translucency and the stone is completely transparent. Corundum hardness index is in 2nd place after diamonds on the Mohs scale. Density - not less than 3.94 g / cm3.

Most often in corundum there are natural inclusions of chromium, iron, manganese and titanium. These impurities give the final color of mineral crystals, creating a wealth of shades. Iron oxides give a tint of yellowness, and the presence of gland in its purest form brown tone. Iron in conjunction with manganese gives corundum pink coloring.

Thanks to the inclusion of titanium, the mineral becomes sapphire, and in the presence of chromium, ruby ​​corundum is obtained. To make the pigment more rich and saturated, slightly colored crystals are subjected to x-ray treatment and they become brighter. Heating a mineral, in contrast, reduces the color intensity.For example, a stone of a violet shade can become a little pinkish.

Corundums have magical and healing properties. Thanks to the regular wearing of the stone, you can become an emotionally stable and confident person. It perfectly affects memory and increases the ability to remember, mobilizes the activity of the mind. Therefore, it is recommended to use it during training, as well as in the process of research or inventive work.

The effect of the stone varies depending on the type of jewelry in which it is located.

• Rings and rings. Such jewelry positively affects the talents hidden deep in a person, on the spiritual development of a person. If you constantly wear a ring with corundum on your hand, then suddenly abilities that you did not even suspect might awaken. To make the effect the most serious and strong, knowledgeable people advise wearing a ring only on the middle finger.
• Earrings. Perfectly affect the objective assessment of what is happening, you can more realistically evaluate actions and deeds. If you think about the meaning of life, wear corundum in earrings, it will help to understand not only this issue, but also in yourself, and also lead you to inner harmony.
• Pendant and pendant. Suitable for those who need peace, poise. If you are unstable in terms of emotions, restless, constantly anxious, annoyed, aggressive, this decoration is for you. It will help to become more focused, calm, not to suffer from differences in emotions.

It is impossible not to mention the properties of a medicinal nature, since corundum in healing is considered one of the most effective minerals. What effect the stone will have on the body and what it can help with depends on color.

For therapeutic purposes, it is recommended to wear jewelry with corundum or to have this stone with you in a bag. Such actions will help to solve a number of health problems: restore immunity and normal functioning of internal organs. Ruby perfectly affects the metabolism, it helps to cope with diseases of blood vessels, heart, circulatory system.

Blue minerals improve the functioning of the organs of vision, yellow beneficial effect on external health: skin, hair, nails, give the skin elasticity and freshness. If you want to improve the digestive system or lose weight, then you should also use stones of a yellow hue. Reds stones normalize blood pressure. Purple the color of the mineral will help with diseases of the nervous system, neurosis, anxiety, neuralgia and vascular problems. In cases of strokes, brain injuries, it is recommended to wear a stone of this particular shade.

The most valuable varieties of the mineral are sapphire and ruby; they have the highest category among jewelry. Despite the similar composition and properties, the stones differ from each other.

Ruby has the following characteristics:

• has a red color in different shades;
• the palette ranges from juicy cherries and dark mahogany to faint, subtle pink tones;
• saturated tones are valued higher (scarlet, cherry, burgundy, dark red);
• Category I stones often cost more than diamond in terms of price;
• high degree of transparency.

Corundum ruby ​​has several subspecies that have different characteristics.

• Star-shaped. A rare crystal that looks quite exotic due to the optical visual effect. If you look closely at the cut, you can see the outlines in the shape of a star.
• Ceylon. A very beautiful stone with a bright purple hue, cast with lilacs.
• Siamese. A variety of shades varies from brown and red to purple, while the minerals look expressive and beautiful.

Sapphire is characterized by the following features:

• unique transparency;
• the highest category among jewels;
• the tint palette includes tones from pale blue to a bright, catchy cornflower hue;
• The saturation of the shades is average, but the color itself is quite deep.

Corundum sapphires have several varieties.

• Purple. This species is also called oriental amethyst; it has an attractive juicy purple color.
• Chlorosapphire. The most valuable sapphire stone, with a greenish tone. This mineral is very similar to emerald, and only a specialist can distinguish them. Another name for chlorosapphire is the eastern emerald.
• Padparaj. It is distinguished by bright tones of orange, yellow, pink color, both light and dark spectrum of shades. In terms of transparency, all stones can be completely different.
• Leucosapphire. The characteristics of its transparency are impeccable, it is this variety that is called oriental diamond.
• Star-shaped. A rare variety that has similarities and effects with a ruby ​​of the same name. A stone of incredible purity and transparency, very expensive and highly prized by collectors.

The use of precious corundum extends not only to jewelry. Opaque granular stone used in abrasive industry. Powders of polishing type, tools for grinding, abrasive objects are made from it.

Thanks to its resistance to high temperatures, corundum is successfully used in production of medical devices, radio electronics. In addition, corundum is used in the manufacture of materials with thermal insulation properties. Another area where corundum properties are often applied is aviation industry. It is corundum that is used in the manufacture of a high-class glass substitute for the windows of not only aircraft, but also space rockets.

Corundum is believed to be a stone of people with energy, activity, determination and the will to win. The properties of the stone allow you to direct people to the goal, to mobilize their internal resources. According to astrologers, this mineral is suitable for many signs of the zodiac.

For instance, Aquarius, Cancer and Pisces can wear it without restrictions. For them, the mineral activates its best properties and allows you to attract positive energy waves that protect against negativity. Corundum will especially help those who are engaged in business or creative activities, as well as those whose energy protection is too weak.

Aries this crystal is almost not suitable at all and it is better to avoid wearing it at a young age. If you are already over 40, then this restriction does not work for you. On the contrary, in maturity, Aries can extract from the stone a lot of useful things: success in his personal life, career growth, awakening of talents.

Strongly advised not to wear corundum Capricorn - Of all the 12 signs of the zodiac, he alone is not compatible with the energy of this mineral. If this discrepancy is not taken into account, then all the properties of the stone will begin to work in the opposite direction, against the person. As for the rest of the signs, they can wear jewelry with such a stone, but in combination with some other gem. For instance, Taurus corundum will especially help in combination with turquoise, and Leo This mineral is best worn in combination with brown amber or agate.

In order for the stones to always have a spectacular appearance, it is necessary to properly care for them:

• periodically wipe the jewelry with a cloth dampened in a solution of ammonia with water;
• It is quite difficult to inflict mechanical damage to the stone, but it is necessary to periodically check the density of its fixing in the frame;
• Keep jewelry in the light, especially in direct sunlight, is strictly prohibited;
• jewelry with natural stones cannot be overheated, as their color can change, becoming lighter;
• do not use chemicals and abrasive products to clean jewelry with corundum - give preference to soapy water solutions.

At the end of the 19th century, the first synthetic corundum was produced, and since then, artificial minerals have been grown in laboratories that cannot be called fakes, but they have serious differences from natural gems. There are crystal growing laboratories in Russia, Germany, and Switzerland. Since a natural crystal is very expensive, then artificial corundums are in great demand. Outwardly, they are very similar to natural minerals, but are cheaper.

When buying products with natural stones, you need to be extremely careful, as there is a risk of buying a fake and paying 10, or even 100 times, more than the product actually costs. There are various ways to determine the origin of a mineral.

For every natural crystal there is quality certificatewhere the place of its extraction is indicated. If there is no certificate, and the product fell into your hands, bypassing the trade organization, you can independently check its quality, for example, by heating. Artificial crystals are heated to make their color more rich, but if you heat such a stone again, it will brighten.

If you plan to make a purchase of natural corundum, give the product for evaluation, where a specialist will check it with a microscope or polariscope. Such an examination will help you determine the authenticity of the mineral and protect you from acquiring a fake.

The following video will tell you about a simple way to distinguish fake.