Corundum

Corundum is the crystalline form of aluminium oxide and one of the rock-forming minerals. Corundum is naturally clear, but can have different colors when impurities are added. Transparent specimens are used as gems, called ruby if red, while all other colors are called sapphire. The word corundum comes from the Hindi kurand.

Related Topics:
Crystal - Aluminium oxide - Rock - Mineral - Transparent - Gem - Ruby - Red - Sapphire - Hindi

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The oxygen atoms in corundum are arranged in a hexagonal close-packing, with the smaller aluminium atoms occupying 2/3 of the octahedral gaps. The coordination of the atoms are thus 6:4, compared to 4:2 for quartz, which accounts for its greater hardness despite the Al-O bonds being less covalent.

Related Topics:
Oxygen - Close-packing - Octahedral - Quartz - Covalent

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Due to corundum's hardness (typically 9.0), it is commonly used as an abrasive in machining, from huge machines to sandpaper. Emery is an impure and less abrasive variety, with a Mohs hardness of 8.0. Diamond is harder at 10.0, but typically much more expensive.

Related Topics:
Abrasive - Sandpaper - Emery - Mohs hardness - Diamond

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