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Sapphire
Sapphire, precious stone.
Sapphire (from Hebrew: ספּיר Sapir) is the
single-crystal form of aluminium oxide (Al2O3), a
mineral known as corundum. It can be found naturally
as gemstones or manufactured in large crystal boules
for varied applications, including infrared optical
components, watch faces, high-durability windows, and
wafers for the deposition of semiconductors such as
GaN nanorods.
The corundum group consists of pure aluminium oxide.
Trace amounts of other elements such as iron, titanium
and chromium give sapphires their blue, yellow, pink,
purple, orange or greenish color. Sapphire includes
any gemstone quality varieties of the mineral corundum
except the fully saturated red variety, which is
instead known as ruby. Read
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