Corundum (var. Sapphire)
Sri Lanka - Asia
Al2O3
Description
Large, unworn, very sharp-edged and translucent double terminated crystal in the form of a small cask with a blue center and yellow ends.
Ratnapura, Sabaragamuwa Province
Collection of origin
F. John Barlow (USA), Houston Museum (USA)
Probable extraction year
1985
From the Tamil kuruntam, which probably came from the Sanskrit kuruvinda for ruby, and the Latin sapphīrus which comes from the Greek sappheiros, which may have come in turn from a Semitic word meaning blue-colored stone.
Class
4 - Oxides and Hydroxides / Oxides
Dimensions (length x with x height in cm)
5.5x11x5
Hardness (Mohs)
9
Density (G/cm3)
4.1
Publication
"The F. John Barlow Mineral Collection", "Masterpieces of the Mineral World: Treasures From the Houston Museum of Natural Science", "Minéraux - Le Guide des Passionnés"
