Corundum Family of Gems

http://www.bsu.edu/eft/gems/p/archives/corundum.html

Hi everyone! I hope you are having a great summer, be it ever so hot!  We lived in Arizona for 11 years, the temperatures are not so different, just the nights--we are used to lows of 96--one great difference.  Today is just a week before the next class begins.  It will be on Wednesday the 11th.  Wire will include gems, just less than beads.

It  is not easy to procure ruby, or corundum for jewelry making since it is in all colors in sapphire, and has a hardness of 9, second only to diamonds, which is on the mohs scale, a 10.  It lasts longer, can take more wear, hence it is more expensive and rare than most stones.  Rubies are my birthstone, hence my favorite.  I can really appreciate rubies that are more translucent, and have a couple accumulated over years of gifts.  They are very beautiful, inspiring, and since they are known for passion and love, probably next to blue sapphire, which is calming, and also a corundum, best loved.

The color of the ruby is determined by the amount of chromium.  Usually the more chromium, the more valuable the gem.  I have seen many beautiful rubies which are not so saturated.

I will cover sapphires in another installment, since they come in every color.  Corundum can take many elements, hence many colors.

Rubies, then the July birthstone are gorgeous.  Those of us who love color will love most gems, especially in the corundum  family.  I think of a bouquet of flowers--which color is most beautiful?  Each has it's own beauty.  I think of gems as our bouquets in rocks.  God has given us so many beautiful elements to enjoy.

Everyone who loves to make jewelry, tends to love colors and placement.  The attractiveness depends on our mood, and ability to discern the color within. Norma Boeckler, an artist in water color is such an expert, she could discern 10 colors of green, blue in turquoise. I've never observed anyone better at it.  She has painted a Poppy, which she has generously given me a copy of, for my dining room. It is beyond description when one counts, or tries to count colors of red.  Needless to say, it reminds me of rubies, and always lifts my mood, when I look at it.

Let's all take our inspiration from color, nature, and those who translate it into "jewelry" for our eyes.

See you all soon.  Let's all enjoy the color around us!

Varieties of corundum