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Sapphire the non-red variety of corundum

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Sapphire notes

# VARIETY OF: Corundum , Al2O3 .
# USES: Gemstone.
# BIRTHSTONE FOR: September
# COLOR: various colors, except for red.
# INDEX OF REFRACTION: 1.76 - 1.78
# BIREFRINGENCE: 0.009
# HARDNESS: 9
# CLEAVAGE: none, although there is a rhombic parting
# CRYSTAL SYSTEM: trigonal
# PLEOCHROIC: strongly

Alternate Corundum

Ruby is the red variety of corundum, the second hardest natural mineral known to mankind. The non-red variety of corundum is Sapphire Sapphires are well known among the general public as being blue, but can be nearly any color. The red color in ruby is caused by trace amounts of the element chromium. The best shade of red for ruby is often given the name "pigeon blood red", but ruby can be any shade of red up to almost pink.