Glassy
THE EIGHT WAYS TO I.D. A MINERALThe eight ways to identify a mineral such as corundum are 1 hardness 2 crystal shape 3 special features 4 density 5 streak 6 luster 7 cleavage or fracture 8 color. (to find out hardness look up "Mohs scale of hardness" everything else you could search it on google or bing)
Small traces of iron are responsible for much of the color found in corundum (saphire) gems. Ruby, however, does not contain iron and will not be affected by a magnet. To be technical however, I should point out that corundum is not magnetic. Corundum will not attract other pieces of iron to itself (as far as I know). To simply answer that corundum is not magnetic would have been misleading.
Corundum, also known as aluminum oxide, is not magnetic. It is a diamagnetic material, meaning it does not have any magnetic properties and is very weakly repelled by magnetic fields.
Corundum can scratch all minerals except diamond, making it the second hardest mineral on the Mohs scale with a hardness of 9. Diamond, with a hardness of 10, is the only mineral that can scratch corundum.
The choice of the "best" gemstone from the minerals fluorite, corundum, talc, and galena depends on various factors, including personal preferences, desired characteristics, and the purpose of the gemstone. Each mineral has its own unique properties and allure. Fluorite is known for its wide range of colors and vibrant fluorescence. It is prized for its transparency and can exhibit beautiful patterns and internal structures. It is a popular gemstone for collectors and jewelry enthusiasts. Corundum is the mineral that includes both rubies and sapphires. Ruby, a red variety of corundum, is highly valued for its rich color and rarity. Sapphires, which come in various colors other than red, are also highly regarded for their brilliance and durability. Talc, on the other hand, is a soft mineral and not typically used as a gemstone due to its low hardness. It is commonly used in various industrial applications and is also known as the mineral that gives soapstone its characteristic feel. Galena is primarily a lead ore mineral and is not typically used as a gemstone due to its high density and lack of transparency. It is more commonly sought after for its economic value as a source of lead. Considering the factors of beauty, durability, and market value, fluorite and corundum (particularly rubies and sapphires) are generally regarded as the more desirable gemstones among the minerals you mentioned.
Corundum.
Yes, rubies are transparent gemstones. They belong to the corundum mineral family and get their red color from trace amounts of chromium. Ruby's clarity and transparency can vary from transparent to slightly opaque, depending on the presence of inclusions.
Corundum ( (Al_2O_3) ) is hexagonal in crystal structure.
Corundum is in the trigonal crystal system.
THE EIGHT WAYS TO I.D. A MINERALThe eight ways to identify a mineral such as corundum are 1 hardness 2 crystal shape 3 special features 4 density 5 streak 6 luster 7 cleavage or fracture 8 color. (to find out hardness look up "Mohs scale of hardness" everything else you could search it on google or bing)
Corundum is used for jewlery
Red corundum is called ruby.
Corundum is aluminium oxide, Al2O3.
Diamond is the hardest mineral and is the only one that can scratch corundum. but in my opinion corundum will scratch corundum any mineral of the same hardness will scratch the other !
Given its remarkable hardness (second only to diamond on Moh's scale), any corundum is of course economically valuable for industrial grinding purposes just as long as it's not radioactive. However, corundum crystals of much greater value can be found as the gemstones ruby and sapphire. As gems these are most valuable when found as large, clear single crystals with appealing color characteristics and few "defects."
Red corundum is called ruby.
Sapphire is not an insulator, as it is a type of corundum crystal that exhibits good electrical conductivity due to the presence of impurities. Sapphires are commonly used as semiconductors in electronic devices and have applications in optoelectronics due to their transparency and durability.