$Tumbled ruby-bearing corundum (likely dyed or fracture-filled) (Corundum, aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), with chromium producing ruby-red color) — gemstone$

gemstone

Tumbled ruby-bearing corundum (likely dyed or fracture-filled)

Corundum, aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), with chromium producing ruby-red color

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Mohs hardness 9; vivid pink-purple to magenta color, vitreous luster, translucent body with fractures and cloudy inclusions. Corundum has a trigonal crystal structure and no true cleavage, though it commonly fractures conchoidally or unevenly.

Identified August 16, 2026More gemstone →

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At a glance

Common name: Tumbled ruby-bearing corundum (likely dyed or fracture-filled)
Scientific name: Corundum, aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), with chromium producing ruby-red color
Category: gemstone
Identified: August 16, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

About $2–$15 for a common treated or opaque tumbled piece; fine untreated gem-quality ruby can range from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars per carat.

Not an official valuation

AI estimate for general interest only — not an appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, provenance, and market demand. Verify with a professional before buying, selling, or insuring.

This identification was generated by AI and may contain errors. Verify important details before relying on them — and never use an AI result to judge whether a specimen is safe to handle. Read the full disclaimer

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Natural ruby forms when aluminum-rich rocks undergo metamorphism or crystallize in igneous/metasomatic environments; ruby-bearing deposits range from Precambrian to younger ages. The intense purple color and uniform appearance may indicate dyeing or treatment, common in commercial tumbled stones.

Uses & applications

Used as an abrasive and, when transparent and intensely red, as a gemstone; opaque tumbled material is mainly decorative and collectible.

Geological facts

Ruby and sapphire are color varieties of the same mineral, corundum; chromium causes red coloration, while purple tones can involve chromium, vanadium, or treatment.

Field identification & locations

Test cautiously: corundum resists scratching by steel and quartz, but a scratch test can damage polished material. Common sources include Myanmar, Mozambique, Sri Lanka, India, Tanzania, and Madagascar; the specimen’s appearance is not sufficient to confirm natural ruby.