Corundum and Opal Physical Properties
Tenacity
Brittle
  
BrittleWalter Schumann
  
Solubility
insoluble
  
hot salt water
  
Durability
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Specific Gravity
3.90-4.05
  
1.98-2.25
  
Fracture
Uneven, Uneven, Gems, Difficult, Fibrous
  
Conchoidal, Conchoidal, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references, Brittle
  
Cleavage
None – parting in 3 directions
  
None
  
Mohs Hardness
9
  
5-6.5
  
Chemical Composition
Al 2O 3Arthur Thomas , Gemstones (2009)
  
SiO2 · nH2O
  
Corundum and Opal Chemical Formula
While comparing Corundum and Opal physical properties, the important data you should know is its chemical composition. Since chemical formula defines the molecular structure of the crystal, most of the physical properties like color, tenacity, solubility are governed by Corundum and Opal chemical formula.
- Chemical formula of Corundum- Al 2O 3Arthur Thomas , Gemstones (2009)
- Chemical formula of Opal- SiO2 · nH2O
Corundum and Opal Specific Gravity
Another important criteria for qualitative analysis of gemstones is Corundum and Opal Specific gravity. Specific gravity is the relative density of a gemstone compared with respect to density of water. Gemologists use Corundum and Opal Optical Properties during the identification of gemstone. Specific gravity of Corundum is 1.98-2.25 whereas that of Opal is 1.98-2.25.