Synthetic ruby. Edmond Fremy (1814 - 1894) carried out the f - Lot 46

Lot 46
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50 - 70 EUR
Synthetic ruby. Edmond Fremy (1814 - 1894) carried out the f - Lot 46
Synthetic ruby. Edmond Fremy (1814 - 1894) carried out the first experiments on the synthesis of ruby. From 1876 to 1891 he carried out numerous experiments published in a book in 1891 while working at the Museum of Natural History in Paris. According to Fremy, the reproduction of minerals was a beautiful question that chemistry had to solve in order to better understand the mysterious reactions that occur in the earth. If the analysis allows to know the composition of a mineral, its synthesis allows to distinguish the accidental elements (impurities) and to locate them. According to Fremy, the ruby is the most beautiful of gems and he decided to reproduce a fine stone with the same qualities as the gem in order to use it in the watchmaking industry in particular. By modifying the reactions to create a flaky ruby, Fremy succeeded in producing quality hard rubies. In his laboratory at the museum, Fremy used crucibles of 150 cubic centimetres at first, then 800 cubic centimetres. Then a mixture of alumina, potassium dichromate and fluoride is placed in the crucible allowing a process of calcination of the elements and the formation of the gem. The whole process is detailed in his 1891 book. For his research, he collaborated with Mr Verneuil, a young scientist at the time. Following Fremy, Verneuil perfected the technique to develop the Verneuil process still used today. The ruby of synthesis proposed with the sale comes from a research laboratory and is resulting from a bottom of crucible of the laboratory of Fremy. One can thus see the crystallization of the ruby in the glass gangue of the crucible. One finds many similar specimens in the reserves of the museum of natural history resulting from the laboratory of Fremy. Dim : 14 cm x 18 cm
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