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Re: [ATM] re Beryllium

On Sun, 12 Sep 2004, Ellen Mackenzie wrote:

> Beryllium found in a natural crystalline form Beryl is also known more
> commonly as Emeralds, Sapphires, there is a producing mine in Vermont. It is
> a Beryllium Aluminium Silicate rated 7.5-8 on the Mohs scale makes it softer
> than corundum  or silicon carbide. I doubt it is suitable for over-coating
> of mirrors though harder than Silicon Oxide (quartz) which is 6 on the
> hardness scale. In its natural form it is clear and colourless as is
> corundum.

Sapphire is Aluminum Oxide (Al2O3) with some Iron and Titanium impurities
to create the blue color.

Rubies and Sapphires are a 9 hardness...

Pat

-- 
Pat in Lewisville               K0OOK                  '97 XLH 883 (Rocinante)
BS#140                                                     EKIII rides with me
                           http://www.pat-st-jean.com/
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