gsminmag Mineralogical Magazine Mineralogical Magazine 0026-461X Mineralogical Society 10.1180/minmag.1964.033.266.05 A Study of the Hydrothermal Growth of Ruby Butcher J. B.Sc., Ph.D. 1 White E. A. D. B.Sc., Ph.D. The General Electric Company Limited, Central Research Laboratories, Hirst Research Centre, Wembley, England

Present address: c/o The Research Association of British Flour Millers, Cereal Research Station, Old London Rd., St. Albans.

 9 1964 33 266 974 985 Copyright © 1964, The Mineralogical Society 1964 Summary

Experiments have been conducted to determine the optimum conditions for the hydrothermal growth of ruby. The solubility of corundmn in various solutions has been determined and compared with the respective growth obtained in each medium. The discrepancy between solubility and effective growth is discussed.

The need for a high degree of chemical purity has resulted in the development of platinum liners for the autoclaves. The effects of impurities and of other factors on the growth of ruby crystals have been studied. The crystal habit of hydrothermal ruby is also described.