DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan

 Am·e·thyst
 1. Min. A variety of crystallized quartz, of a purple or bluish violet color, of different shades. It is much used as a jeweler's stone.
 Oriental amethyst, the violet-blue variety of transparent crystallized corundum or sapphire.
 2. Her. A purple color in a nobleman's escutcheon, or coat of arms.
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 Co·run·dum n.; pl. Corundums  [Also corindon.]  Min. The mineral alumina (Al2O3), as found native in a crystalline state.  Transparent varieties are used as gemstones, including sapphire, which is the fine blue variety; the oriental ruby, or red sapphire; the oriental amethyst, or purple sapphire; and adamantine spar, the hair-brown variety. It is the hardest substance found native, next to the diamond.
 Note: ☞ The name corundum is sometimes restricted to the non-transparent or coarser kinds. Emery is a dark-colored granular variety, usually admixed with magnetic iron ore.
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