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Rubellite

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188
GEMS.
LXXXVI.
RUBY.
By this name, which comes from the appellative of rubeus, on account of their colour, three gems are known, very different in their constitution, but re­sembling each other in colour so as often to be con­founded together ; they are the red ' corundum or Oriental ruby, the red spinel, and the balais. We shall treat of them separately.
1. ORIENTAL RUBY.
The gem most prized next to the diamond is the ruby, or red corundum of the naturalists.
The splendour of its tints, sometimes purely red, at other times violet, pink, or purple, makes it the most beautiful coloured gem in nature.
The hardness of the Oriental ruby is immediately second to that of the diamond, and it is superior to that of the other corundums.
It has double refraction, although not of a high degree ; its light is vitreous ; it bears the strongest fire without losing colour or form, but by means of a special solvent it is transformed with difficulty into a clear glass.
It is easily perceived from its crystals that it has experienced the action of fire, but, notwithstanding, they are capable of cleavage. Their form is not well defined, generally oval and imperfect, but still oc­tagonal or round, or flattened at one part.
Quiritine Page of 243 Oriental Ruby
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