lordsorril
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since April 2020
Posts: 766
|
Post by lordsorril on Nov 14, 2020 10:29:11 GMT -5
Hi All, I bought some rough from GemsByMail last year. It was marked as 'Crystal Ruby'. I ran a quick search online: couldn't find anything. Is this small crystalline structure Ruby? If so: could someone identify the matrix? It seems to be only a slight challenge to tumble: which is unusual compared to the other chunkier Ruby/Corundum composites I have been working on...
|
|
fuss
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2018
Posts: 250
|
Post by fuss on Nov 14, 2020 10:48:16 GMT -5
Looks like ruby, very similar to a specimen I have from Froland Norway. You could do a hardness test if not convinced it is corundum or even a UV test with a long wave, it will fluoresce cherry red.
|
|
irlcjrohr
starting to spend too much on rocks
If it does not melt, polish it.
Member since April 2020
Posts: 123
|
Post by irlcjrohr on Nov 14, 2020 10:56:50 GMT -5
I looked at that a few years ago. I also see it listed as "Ruby in Kyanite". I first saw it in Etsy shops. This article from Geology.com may help. geology.com/minerals/fuchsite.shtml
|
|
lordsorril
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since April 2020
Posts: 766
|
Post by lordsorril on Nov 14, 2020 11:05:57 GMT -5
Looks like ruby, very similar to a specimen I have from Froland Norway. You could do a hardness test if not convinced it is corundum or even a UV test with a long wave, it will fluoresce cherry red. Thanks for the info! It does look like it is probably ruby.
|
|
lordsorril
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since April 2020
Posts: 766
|
Post by lordsorril on Nov 14, 2020 11:10:26 GMT -5
I looked at that a few years ago. I also see it listed as "Ruby in Kyanite". I first saw it in Etsy shops. This article from Geology.com may help. geology.com/minerals/fuchsite.shtmlI have Red Corundum, Blue Corundum, Ruby in Kyanite, Ruby in Fuchsite, Ruby in Zoisite, and Crystal Ruby--all of them different, but, only Crystal Ruby tumbled well on the first attempt. Which makes me wonder: What makes Crystal Ruby different? It looks like a Quartz matrix, but, that shouldn't effect how well the ruby tumbles....I'm no geologist, but, I am thinking the ruby crystals are smaller and wear down faster...maybe just coincidence? I have three lbs. of well-shaped 'Crystal Ruby' going through pre-polish right now and a assorted mess of the others that need a lot of work.
|
|
lordsorril
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since April 2020
Posts: 766
|
Post by lordsorril on Nov 14, 2020 12:10:38 GMT -5
Crystal Ruby-time to tumble and complete vibe polish: 4 weeks Ruby in Kyanite: Pictured below after 6 weeks of coarse 46/60 SiC - 1st stage still incomplete
|
|
kyoti
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2020
Posts: 542
|
Post by kyoti on Nov 16, 2020 21:51:36 GMT -5
Thats a pretty material. I might have to pick some up to try Thanks for sharing it with us.
|
|
lordsorril
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since April 2020
Posts: 766
|
Post by lordsorril on Nov 17, 2020 7:01:03 GMT -5
Thats a pretty material. I might have to pick some up to try Thanks for sharing it with us. Thanks, I prioritized the Crystal Ruby and should have a bunch coming out of polish in a week or so. I plan on doing on a snake photo with the material in both regular and black light. 'Technically' I will be able to say that I successfully tumbled and polished Ruby--which is something I have not accomplished yet with any other form.
|
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,773
|
Post by gemfeller on Nov 17, 2020 12:11:56 GMT -5
Ruby is a color of the mineral corundum. It occurs in all colors but all non-red corundum is called sapphire. Corundum occurs in crystals. So the name "crystal ruby" sounds to me like a made-up marketing name that's redundant.
From what I can see in your images the ruby crystals appear to be embedded in some other rock matrix. Unless it's the same hardness as corundum (Mohs 9) it will likely undercut significantly during the grinding process. Due to corundum's extreme hardness (next to diamond) it's difficult to tumble-polish. It will be interesting to see images of your finished stones.
|
|