I believe that sapphires (blue ones) normally have a small amount of copper, and rubies (red ones), chromium in them as "impurities", giving the colours.
2006-12-17 11:53:11 · 3 answers · asked by WOODPECKER 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
The trade rules for defining ruby are : Corundum in which the colour is induced by the presence of Chromium (a small % of iron may also be present)
Any other colour of corundum is termed sapphire with the appropriate colour suffix i.e. Green Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire etc. As a matter of interest the colour of blue sapphire is not due to copper but caused by a delicate balance between iron and titanium.
2006-12-17 21:35:35 · answer #1 · answered by U.K.Export 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rubies are a specific type of sapphire that is bright red. The name ruby comes from the latin word for red.
2006-12-17 20:03:06 · answer #2 · answered by Vincent G 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You are exactly right... the problem comes from the fact that non-geologists typically name gems, so the error comes from their lack of knowledge.
2006-12-17 21:36:00 · answer #3 · answered by QFL 24-7 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋