Corundum specimens from the Appalachian Mountains...

[BurntBear]

Here are some random Corundum specimens from the Appalachian mountains:

All of these specimens were retrieved from stream placer, except the Ruby/Zoisite specimen(s).

Ruby in Zoisite:





UV Lighting:







Star Corundum Specimens:

























First cut Ruby: This cut was from one of the lesser quality specimens. None-the-less, it is a natural beauty and remains untreated at 1.10 cts., 7x5mm.





Faceted North Carolina Star Ruby:



More to come, thanks for looking!

 

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[Jim in Idaho]

Beautiful stuff! I'd really like to see those rubies under a long-wave black light.
Jim

 

[BurntBear]

I'll have to see what I can do about that. I need to take time and take some updated photos with the loupe. There are a few Star Sapphire specimens that are a couple hundred carats each. Forgot a photo:

Star Ruby in Black Sapphire host:

Finally had this specimen identified by the geologist and I was correct; all corundum!

 

[hvacker]

Bear, you must rock hound with a microscope. You seem to be able to spot stuff I probably miss.

 

[BurntBear]

Thanks! It's been a great journey hunting gems. I have so many more photos to take and specimens to show everyone; it will take forever!
As for hunting with a microscope; I think the microscope is our minds, lol.

 

[BurntBear]

This is the largest Ruby (that's not a Star) from the collection. It is "Pigeon Blood" in color, if you believe in that terminology, lol.

Weighing in at 30.5 cts.!







Same specimen under UV:

 

[BurntBear]

Here is the latest North Carolina Ruby cut:

1.25 cts. Faceted Star Ruby

 

[BurntBear]

A 22 ct. rough hexagonal Ruby crystal:

 

[BurntBear]

Faceted North Carolina Black Sapphire:

 

[rodoconnor]

Good looking stuff Luke

 

[Eu_citzen]

The 22 cts piece is cool!

 

[DDancer]

Nice structure on the corundum. The internal structure is nice to see I wonder if you polished the end if it would stand out better.

 

[BurntBear]

I think you're right. I may try that. =)

 

[yakker]

Very cool. Very beautiful. Thanks for the show- Yakker

 

[BurntBear]

 

[Buckshotnc]

BB are those rubies 22 carat & 30 carat from Chunky Gal & Buck Creek ?, those colors are similar to rubies that what I find on Treasure Valley at my farm.

 

[BurntBear]

Nope, actually those are from a region notorious for Emeralds, not Rubies. And some of the Rubies I've shown are from southeast Tennessee!

 

[Buckshotnc]

Thanks, that gives me some hope I've still got finding an emerald and a diamond on my bucket list and I've found some promising pematite so maybe there's hope on the emerald. Need to uncover more of the pegmatite. Was pegmatite near your ruby finds ?

 

[rock]

Nope, actually those are from a region notorious for Emeralds, not Rubies. And some of the Rubies I've shown are from southeast Tennessee!

Are you finding them in creeks? Id like to know what to look for while I am jumping in and out looking for points. I see a lot of different types of rocks but never look hard. Maybe I should start looking. Thanks

 

[BurntBear]

Yes, these are alluvial (water transported) deposits. Where gold deposits, you will find similar heavy metals and minerals (like corundum) that have a high specific gravity. Gravel bars, behind large boulders; following the creeks heavy deposit trail etc.