Corundum vs Diamond

Property Corundum Diamond
Rumus Al2O3 C
Sistem Kristal Trigonal Cubic (Isometric)
Kelas Mineral 04 Oxides and Hydroxides 01 Native Elements
Kekerasan Mohs 9.0 10.0
Warna Red (ruby), blue (sapphire), various colors Colorless, yellow, brown, blue, green, pink
Kilap Adamantine Adamantine
Gores Colorless None
Transparansi Transparent Transparent
Belahan None Perfect octahedral {111}
Pecahan Conchoidal to uneven Conchoidal

Key Differences

  • Diamond (hardness 10) is harder than corundum (hardness 9) — the hardest natural mineral vs. the second hardest.
  • Diamond is pure carbon; corundum is aluminum oxide (Al2O3).
  • Diamond crystallises in the cubic system; corundum is trigonal.
  • Both are used as abrasives, but diamond abrades corundum, not vice versa.
  • Corundum gem varieties are ruby and sapphire; diamond gems are simply called diamonds.

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