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Rubies and sapphires are colored corundum

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The gemstone industry relies heavily on rocks being accidentally contaminated. Pure corundum is completely colorless and largely ignored by jewelers. But if you carelessly toss in a few trace atoms of chromium, you get a highly lucrative red ruby. Add some titanium instead, and you get a sapphire. Purity is clearly undervalued in geology.

Rubies and sapphires are colored corundum
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