The mineral alumina (
Al2O3), as found native in a crystalline state. Transparent varieties are used as gemstones, including
sapphire, which is the fine blue variety; the
oriental ruby, or red sapphire; the
oriental amethyst, or purple sapphire; and
adamantine spar, the hair-brown variety. It is the hardest substance found native, next to the diamond. [
1913 Webster]
" The name corundum is sometimes restricted to the non-transparent or coarser kinds. Emery is a dark-colored granular variety, usually admixed with magnetic iron ore."
[1913 Webster]