What is corundum and what is it used for?

Rubi rojo en bruto

The Fascinating World of Corundum

Corundum, a mineral whose beauty and resistance have made it a precious gem, is known for its red coloration, but its richness and variety go beyond this iconic hue. Let’s see what corundum is and what it is used for, we will immerse ourselves in the world of corundum, exploring its types, curiosities, properties, as well as its presence in nature and its spiritual meaning.

Types of Corundum

Corundum comes in various variants, each with unique characteristics. The best known variety is ruby, which shows intense red tones due to the presence of chromium in its composition. On the other hand, the blue variety, known as sapphire, is formed with the incorporation of titanium and iron. In addition, there are other less common varieties, such as yellow, green, purple and pink corundum, which are caused by the presence of different trace elements.

  • Ruby: Corundum with an intense red color, the result of the presence of chromium in its composition.
  • Sapphire: Corundum of all colors except red. Blue sapphires are the best known, but there are also pink, yellow, green and other sapphires.
  • Padparadscha: A variety of sapphire that exhibits a unique orange-pink hue, compared to that of a blooming lotus.
  • Starry corundum: It presents an optical effect called asterism, which produces a star of light on the surface of the mineral when exposed to light.


See Minerals in the Store

Rubi rojo corindon rojo

What is Corundum used for and Curiosities

It has been appreciated throughout history by various cultures knowing what corundum is and what it is for. In ancient India, red corundum was believed to have healing properties and protect against disease. Currently, corundums are highly valued in the jewelry industry, especially in the manufacture of rings and necklaces. Additionally, synthetic corundum, created in laboratories, has gained popularity as an ethical alternative to natural gems.

In ancient times, Roman and Greek warriors wore corundum amulets in battle to protect themselves from injury and to instill courage and determination.

The star of a star corundum is caused by aligned mineral inclusions within the crystal that reflect light in a star shape. The more inclusions are present and the more perfectly they are aligned, the sharper the star will be.

Corundum has historically been used as a stone of protection in many cultures. It was believed to have the power to ward off evil and bring peace and harmony to its wearer.

What is Corundum and its Properties

Corundum is a crystalline aluminum oxide, with a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, making it one of the hardest minerals. Its hexagonal structure contributes to its exceptional resistance and characteristic shine. At a chemical level, corundum is unalterable by most atmospheric agents and is not affected by acids and bases, which gives it exceptional durability. This hardness makes it ideal for industrial applications in cutting tools, abrasives and high-strength components.

In addition to its hardness, corundum is notable for its high transparency to visible light, making it a popular choice in the manufacture of high-quality jewelry. Its vitreous shine and luster are highly prized in the world of fine jewelry.

Chemically, corundum is composed mainly of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and may contain traces of other elements such as iron, titanium and chromium, which give it its varied range of colors. With a density of around 4 grams per cubic centimeter, corundum is heavier than most gemstones, contributing to its solid and luxurious feel in jewelry.

Rubi rojo corindon

Origin and Location in Nature

Corundum is found in sedimentary and metamorphic deposits. Emblematic places of its extraction include Myanmar, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Madagascar and Australia. The geological formation is crucial for its quality and size, with deposits rich in impurities that give rise to the different colors.

Spiritual Meaning of Corundum

Throughout history, various cultures have wondered what corundum is and what it is for, attributing spiritual meanings to this mineral. This gem is believed to promote vitality, energy and passion. In the Vedic tradition of India, red corundum was associated with the sun and was considered a source of divine power. Today, corundum is said to improve concentration, strengthen determination, and promote self-expression.

16 thoughts on “What is corundum and what is it used for?”

  1. І am regular reader, how are you everybody? This pоst posted at this
    web site is in fact nice.

  2. Magnificent gоods fr᧐m you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you are
    ϳust extremely magnificent. I really like what
    yоu have acquired here, certainly liке what you’re saying and the way in which
    you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still care for to keeⲣ it smart.
    I cant wait to read much more frⲟm you.
    This is really a tremendous site.

  3. Wow, іncrеdible weblog structure! How lеngthy have you beеn running a
    bloց for? you made blogging glance easy. Тhe whole look of your site is magnificent, as well as tһe content!

  4. Thank yоu for the good writeup. It in fact was a amᥙsement accօunt
    it. Look advanced to more added agreeable from you!
    Howеver, һow can we communicate?

  5. Hey there, I thіnk your site might be having browser cοmpatibiⅼity issues.

    When I look at yoᥙr blog site in Opera, it looks fine but when opening
    in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to
    give you a quick hеads up! Other then thɑt, terrific blog!

  6. My partneг and I stumbled over here from a diffeгent page and thought I might
    as well check thingѕ out. I like what I see so now i’m following you.
    Look fօrԝаrd to looking into your web page repeɑtedly.

  7. When sοme one searches for his required thing,
    therefore he/she desires to Ьe availabⅼe that in detail,
    thus that thing is maintained over here.

  8. I rеally like what you guуs are usually up too.
    Tһiѕ kind of clever work and coverage! Keeρ up tһe superb works guys I’ve incorporated you ցuys to my perѕonal
    blogroll.

  9. Ꮪomebody essentialⅼy assist to make sеverely articles Ι’d state.
    That is the very first time I frequented your webѕite page and so far?
    I amazed with the analysiѕ you made to makе this particular
    post incredible. Magnificent task!

  10. Sweet Ƅlog! I found it while browsing on Yahoo Νews.
    Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News?
    I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get therе!
    Ꮯheers

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *