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Corundum (var. ruby)
Ken Larsen
Specimen | Catalog Number | Locality | Weight |
---|---|---|---|
Corundum | NMNH 176171 | Pakistan, Azad Kashmir |
Gift of Smithsonian Gem and Mineral Collectors in 2013.
This ruby crystal is from the Hunza Valley in Pakistan. Ruby is the red variety of the mineral corundum. This mineral specimen exhibits beautifully the hexagonal shape of a natural corundum crystal. Not only does the ruby exhibit a fine pinkish-red color, but it is a wonderful example of a natural crystal that has avoided the cutting process. This crystal, in a marble matrix, is approximately 2” in diameter. It is the first Pakistani ruby mineral specimen for the National Mineral Collection and an impressive representation of a ruby crystal.