rivarat
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since June 2016
Posts: 140
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Post by rivarat on Dec 24, 2016 3:26:50 GMT -5
Picked this up at a local shop, it was sold as a Zircon from Madagascar. I only grabbed it as the crystal shape didn't fit in well with the rest of the zircons. It didn't cab very well as it was full of cracks, but I gave it a try anyway. Is it a zircon or sapphire? Whats everyones thoughts?
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,051
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Post by gemfeller on Dec 24, 2016 11:40:54 GMT -5
It's obviously in the hexagonal crystal system. Zircon's tetragonal so that pretty much eliminates it as a possibility. There are lots of hexagonal minerals but based on personal experience I think your guess is right: non-gem-grade corundum (sapphire/ruby). Corundum is very hard so polishing it can be difficult. The shape and "platy" internal structure say corundum to me.
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