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Intriguing minerals: corundum in the world of rubies and sapphires with special attention to Macedonian rubies

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Abstract

This lecture text presents features of the fascinating mineral corundum and its gem varieties, ruby and sapphire. The geologic occurrences of its varieties and the best-known world localities are presented in detail. The mineralogy and crystallography of corundum, as well as its occurrence forms, are discussed. The origin of their colour varieties and their usage are described, in addition to their important physical characteristics. Applications in the watch and laser industries and as an abrasive material, among others, are included. The ruby variety from dolomite marble in North Macedonia exhibits the unique optical phenomenon known as diasporescence–the inclusion of diaspore crystals in the corundum matrix. This phenomenon affects the parting of corundum crystals and influences their colour, density and hardness. Therefore, special attention is paid here to morphological and physical characteristics of the Macedonian gem corundum.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Slovenian Museum of Natural History, Prešernova 20, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Miha Jeršek

  2. Research Center for Environment and Materials, Academy of Sciences and Arts of North Macedonia, MASA, Bul. Krste Misirkov 2, 1000, Skopje, North Macedonia

    Gligor Jovanovski

  3. Faculty of Natural and Technical Sciences, Goce Delčev University, Štip, North Macedonia

    Blažo Boev

  4. Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Arhimedova 5, 1000, Skopje, North Macedonia

    Petre Makreski

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  1. Miha Jeršek
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  2. Gligor Jovanovski
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  3. Blažo Boev
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  4. Petre Makreski
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Jeršek, M., Jovanovski, G., Boev, B. et al. Intriguing minerals: corundum in the world of rubies and sapphires with special attention to Macedonian rubies. ChemTexts 7, 19 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40828-021-00143-0

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