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Corundum

MNHN N°203.150

visu_188 infos

FROM : Ihozy, Fianarantsoa, Madagascar
SIZE : 7 x 4 x 4.2 cm; crystal 1.6 x 1.4 cm

general description

This crystal of corundum is incorporated in a gneiss matrix. The characteristic of this sample, besides a corundum bluish-violet color, is the presence of a reactive ring all around the crystal.

The corundum measures 1.6 x 1.4 cm, it is well-formed, one perceives clearly faces and edges. The whole sample measures 7 x 4 x 4.2 cm.

This sample comes from Madagascan Ihozy mine in Fianarantsoa. The support from Total made its acquisition possible. It is kept in the storage rooms of the collections (i.e., not yet displayed to the public).

Photography: Louis-Dominique Bayle, © MNHN.

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The Species page

Identity card

SPECIE : Corundum

HISTORY : Name most likely from the tamoul "kurundam" and/or the sanscrit "kuruvinda" meaning rubis

Species "discovered" in 1714 by Woodward near Bombay, India

Typ-locality: undefined because species already known by the Ancients
ANCIENT NAME : Télésie, topaze orientale

CHEMICAL FORMULA : Al2O3
CRYSTAL SYSTEM : Hexagonal
COLOR : Colorless, white, red, blue, yellow
DIAPHANIETY : Transparent to translucide
LUSTER : Adamantine to vitreous
STREAK : White
MORPHOLOGY : Prismatic hexagonal crystals
HARDNESS : 9
DENSITY : 4,0-4,1

CHEMICAL CLASS : IV - Oxides and hydroxide
GROUP : Hématite
STRUNZ CLASS BEFORE 2001 : 4/C.04-10
STRUNZ CLASS AFTER 2001 : 4.CB.05

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