Corundum is a crystalline form of aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃) typically containing tracesof iron, titanium, vanadium and chromium. It is a rock-forming mineral. It is a naturally transparent material, but can have different colors depending on the presence of transition metal impurities in its crystalline structure.Corundum has two primary gem varieties: ruby and sapphire. Rubies are red due to the presence of chromium, and sapphires exhibit a range of colors depending on what transition metal is present.A rare type of sapphire, padparadscha sapphire, is pink-orange.