what is the difference between white topaz and white sapphire?
2007-02-24 03:15:31 · 2 answers · asked by frankie16701 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Topaz and corundum are different minerals both of which are colourelss when pure. Topaz is Al2(OH,F)2SiO4.
Corundum, which is known as ruby when red (caused by Cr) and called sapphire with the name of the colour when any other hue. (e.g. blue sapphire, yellow sapphire) It is Al2O3 when pure, the colours are caused by minute amounts of impurities with blue being due to Ti and Fe.
As cut stones they look very similar but white sapphire is much harder and also does not suffer from the strong cleavage which makes topaz rather delicate. White sapphire is a much better stone to use in jewellery that gets hard wear such as in a ring.
2007-02-24 23:09:01 · answer #1 · answered by U.K.Export 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
thats due to chemical structure which defines the mineral (not the colour)
2007-02-24 05:59:18 · answer #2 · answered by Kev P 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋