Ruby blende explained

Ruby blende or garnete blende are two close trivial names for several dissimilar minerals,^[1] with their appearance sometimes imitating red-colored precious stones, primarily natural garnets or rubies.^[2] In the scientific community, the systematic use of the term generally ended in the 19th century, with the transition to the modern system of naming minerals. Currently, both names are primarily used among mineral collectors and dealers, as well as geologists, miners and related trades.

• Miargyrite is a rare steel-colored ore mineral with an internal garnet reflection, very fragile.^[1]
• Pyrargyrite^[3] is a relatively rare ore mineral of dark red color with a diamond-metallic sheen, related to the previous one.^[4]
• Proustite^[3] is a silver ore mineral, similar in composition to the previous two, and forms crimson crystals with a lead-gray sheen.^[4]
• Sphalerite^[5] is zinc blende, some varieties of which have a rich red color with an orange tint.

See also

• Garnet (disambiguation)
• Ruby (disambiguation)
• Blende (disambiguation)

Notes and References

1. Krivovichev V. G. Mineralogical glossary. Scientific editor . — St.Petersburg: St.Petersburg Univ. Publ. House. 2009. 556 p. — ISBN 978-5-288-04863-0
2. Although the term "ruby blende" is more common, the comparison with "garnet blende" seems more accurate. The vast majority of the mineral varieties listed below imitate garnet shades of red, but not ruby.
3. Robert Jameson. A System of Mineralogy, in which Minerals are Arranged According to the Natural History Method. — Edinburgh, A. Constable & Co., 1820.
4. Andrew Ure. A dictionary of chemistry, in which the principles of the science are investigated anew, and its applications to the phenomena of nature, medicine, mineralogy, agriculture, and manufactures detailed. — London: Tegg, 1828
5. Book: Richard Rennie and Jonathan Law. A dictionary of chemistry. Oxford University Press. 2016. 978-0-19-178954-0. 7th. Oxford. 936373100.