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Precious
gemstone:
The
true sapphire is deep blue, yellow corundum is called yellow sapphire or
Oriental topaz.
Pale pink
stones are called pink sapphire.
Excellent
sapphires occur in alluvial deposits of sand and gravel in Sri Lanka.
Other important
sources of the stones are Thailand, India, Afghanistan, China, the Ural
Mountains and elsewhere in the former Soviet Union, and Queensland,
Australia.
In the United
States sapphires are found in North Carolina, and near Helena, Montana.
Sapphires and
rubies are used as hard bearings in watches and scientific apparatus.
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