ScienceAugust 15, 2026
corundum
kuh-RUN-dum
Definition
A hard, naturally occurring mineral composed of aluminum oxide that, when containing trace impurities, forms gemstones such as rubies and sapphires.
Etymology
Derived from the Tamil word 'kurundam,' which relates to ruby, the word entered English via Sanskrit and became a standard term in mineralogy.
In the news
The article mentions corundum as a mineral discovered on Mars by the Perseverance rover, noting it as a first-of-its-kind finding for the planet.
This Week in Science: AI Agents Come to an Agreement, Gemstones on Mars, And More!
Read the full article ↗ScienceAlert